By Phoebe Muthart
Staff Writer

Board Member Jamie Beer, left, and President Paul Newcomer discuss business after the Syracuse-Wawasee Parks and Recreation Board meeting last night, Feb. 13. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

SYRACUSE — If all goes well, the new ball field in Syracuse will host its grand opening in April, the Syracuse-Wawasee Parks and Recreation Board heard during its brief 30-minute meeting Monday night, Feb. 13.

An opening day ceremony for Schrock Fields is tentatively set for Saturday, April 29.

“We’ve done a lot of work in-house,” said Chad Jonsson, park superintendent. “We’ve also ordered welcome signs.”

He said bleachers have been ordered and will be delivered soon. A welcome arch needs to be installed. Fencing is being installed this week.

“We’ve gotten to the point where practice can be doable,” said Jonsson.

He said other work includes a flag pole that still needs to be installed and “mostly other little things.”

The Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club asked permission to use the Syracuse Community Center for a Texas hold ‘em tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 11.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, gave the financial reports from Jan. 9 to Feb. 13 and for January.

During the tree board report, Jonsson said two magnolia trees at Lakeside Park need to be replaced. Also, a request for trees to be planted at 12 properties along Kern’s Crossing, near the new ball field, was received. Jonsson said the trees will be planted in the town’s right of way between the sidewalk and the road.

The park board heard an update on the Henry Ward Park pavilion and restroom project. An additional appropriation for $12,500 was approved. The parks department received a grant from Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Work includes replacing the pavilion.

“The money needs to be spent first and then we will be reimbursed,” said Jonsson.

A report on signage for Ward Park and Schrock Fields was given. “No smoking” signs were approved by town council and will be installed at Schrock Fields.

The 2023 project list includes work performed inside SCC. Lights and new sinks were replaced inside the restrooms.

The Syracuse Lions Club requested permission to place a little library inside the community center; the request was approved. The public is invited to place and take books inside the tiny library.

Darin Lursen, program director, gave the program report. Bingo was recently held and Lursen said 117 people attended, adding, “It was the busiest I’ve ever seen it.”

A recent euchre tournament was well attended with 24 people, he noted. Another one is at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17.

A brain fit series concludes Thursday, Feb. 16. “It’s been well attended,” Lursen said.

Upcoming programs include a Princess Party featuring the movie “Encanto” at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22.

The basketball league at SCC is still ongoing with four weeks left in the season plus a tournament.

A garage sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at SCC with nine people on the waiting list. “It is very popular,” Lursen said.

The next park board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 13, at SCC.