A concept to provide concession items as well as paddle boards and boats to people using the swimming area at Nichols Park was put to the Henryetta city council Tuesday night.
Bruce Jones presented the idea that would take one section of the CCC-constructed former bath house and make it a commercial operation.
“We are steadily seeing more and more use over the past few years,” he said. “Still more can be done.”
That project would enclose the former men’s dressing room on the west end of the building with a 47 by 23 foot building providing everything from fishing tackle to snacks and soft drinks. “It would be secure because the building is surrounded on three sides by the rock walls already in place.”
The operation could be staffed either by hiring one or two employees or by leasing to an individual. Section 11 of the city codes allow for a contract to be granted for such a purpose. Jones said for years HHS coach Marion Anglin provided a similar service charging for swimming as well as selling candy and soft drinks.
By providing the service and merchandise, Jones said the city would be seeing revenue from either the lease and sales tax or just from sales tax. “Right now you get absolutely nothing.”
Adding the paddle boards, bots and kayaks would be another source of revenue. Jones said he saw a similar operation at Robbers’ Cave and similar equipment was constantly in use.
Jones said the bath house does need repairs whether a concession area is built or not. “The roof is corrugated sheet metal and needs replacing. The wood under it is in good shape but it needs to be protected. There are a lot of the big beams that have rotted from the ends and much of the wood is falling away.”
He pointed out that, with the introduction of the disc golf courses and subsequent tournaments, the park has been visited by people from all over the state as well as people from as far away as California and Minnesota. “It cries, ‘fix me,’” he said.
Jones agreed that the construction cost could run over $100,000. At a recent Henryetta Economic Development Authority meeting, councilman Michael Dickey pointed out there is over $300,000 in the hotel/motel tax fund.
Tuesday night Dickey said he would like to have something done with the caretaker’s house. “We need somebody out there full time before we do this,” he said.
Mayor Jennifer Munholland agreed the repairs to the bath house have to be made and said that work has already been looked at.
Along the same subject, the council approved opening the park back up to primitive camping along people tasty overnight in the designated camping areas only.
Council members also approved a request by First Family Federal Credit Union to hold their annual Labor Day car show at the park. The show will be held on the east end of the park with cars being displayed in the flat area surrounded by pavement.
That same weekend American Exchange Bank will be sponsoring a barbecue cook-off in conjunction with the car show. Steve Sanford asked if beer sales would be allowed and the council gave approval for both.
New playground equipment will be installed near the baseball fields at the park. It was purchased using $119,993.28 of the $129,150 donated to the city from the Woodrow R. Stubbs Charitable Trust.
Originally the playground was to be placed by the lake but problems with water drainage as well as accessibility for youngsters at the ball fields called for the location change. No date was given for it to be installed.
Four derelict houses located at 806 W. Meacham, 408 Center Street, 402 East McLaughlin and 316 East Spruce were approved for abatement.
Code enforcement officer Jody Agee said there is currently a backlog of about 30 houses that need to be torn down. He said it costs about $3,000 to demolish and carry the debris away as long as no asbestos is present.