Huntingburg Park Board: Pickleball, dog park and more

The Huntingburg Park Board met on Monday and discussed or took the following actions.

Pool Pricing Changes

The board addressed pricing adjustments for the Huntingburg City Pool. The board recommended the following adjustments: ticket books increase from $60 to $80, maintaining a $20 savings for purchasers while improving revenue; daily entry remains at $5, but free admission will now be for children two years and younger, a change from four year olds being allowed free entry; swim lessons will increase from $50 to $75 for two-week sessions, covering instructor costs without generating profit; pool rental pricing adjusts to $300 for three-hour blocks during non-operational hours, with the city providing required lifeguards. The board also heard that water aerobics classes will return with separate sessions for seniors and general participants. The board acknowledged that even with these increases, the pool likely won’t break even due to high chemical and operating costs. The board approved all pricing changes, which require subsequent approval by the common council.

Pool Advertisement and Revenue Generation

The board also approved adding advertisements to the pool fence. The program will allow businesses to purchase advertising space on the interior pool fence at $300 annually. Each advertisement measures 60 inches by 36 inches, with the business responsible for the $60 banner production cost. This approach follows similar programs implemented by other cities seeking alternative funding sources as state funding and tax revenues decline. Once available spaces fill, the city will maintain a waiting list or explore additional advertising opportunities. The board also announces plans to reopen the concession stand with live service, creating another revenue stream while enhancing visitor experience.

Pickleball Court Progress

Park Director Jace Merkel reported construction on the new pickleball court is progressing. The street department completed the finished grade work while simultaneously preparing the base for the adjacent parking lot. Merkel praised the street department for their exceptional collaboration and support throughout the project. He estimated that the preparatory work will be completed in the next two weeks, with asphalt installation scheduled to follow as weather allows. After asphalting the area, a one-month curing period is required before applying the specialized pickleball court coating. However, the court can accommodate play on the asphalt surface during this curing period if users choose. Once the coating application is completed, the court requires an additional one to two weeks before full use.

Playground and Infrastructure Updates

Heard that construction is advancing on the southeast playground renovation. Merkel said Progress is temporarily slowed as resources were prioritized to meet the asphalt contractor’s schedule for the pickleball court. However, he reported the two footers on the long (north and south) sides have been poured, work will begin this week on the short (east and west) sides and their footers, and framing for the retaining wall is expected to start by the end of the week. Once the rock and wallboard are in place, the installer will be notified to bring in turf and equipment for the final installation. Weather remains the primary risk that could slow this timeline.

The board also heard the grandstand railing repair project in League Stadium was completed under budget at approximately $4,000 through Cooper Rail, significantly lower than initial estimates.

Dog Park Access System

The board discussed progress on updating the dog park access system to ensure proper management and safety for users. The original card reader system is broken, and repair costs are proving prohibitively expensive due to internet connectivity requirements and the need to work with a new vendor. Merkel reported that they are leaning toward a traditional lock-and-key system as a cost-effective option. This approach requires users to obtain keys that cannot be duplicated and feature unique identification numbers for tracking. Users must provide the required dog vaccination and registration paperwork before receiving keys. Current usage levels remain unknown, making it difficult to justify the costs of an expensive card reader system.