COUNCIL OKs SPENDING ON PARK PROJECTS

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday night agreed to spend an additional $1.1 million to build the Osage Park community center and Shawnee Park sports complex.

The city plans to issue bonds that would be retired with motel and restaurant tax money.

With the added expenses, the entire cost of the projects will total about $5.3 million.

The $1.1 million in added spending includes $225,000 in equipment and furnishings that weren't included in the construction contract.

The council tabled the funding issue two weeks ago after questions were raised about the equipment and furnishings.

Jay Knudtson, chairman of the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said his board and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board have reached agreement on those items.

Knudtson said the $225,000 worth of items were left out of the construction contract because it was felt the city could obtain better bids for those items on its own.

The equipment includes a sprinkler system for the community center at an estimated cost of about $19,000.

The parks foundation has raised $300,000 to help fund the projects and hopes to raise more, Knudtson said.