Brent Berkeypile, left, welcomes new Syracuse Park Board member,
Jace Stewart, who is the library board appointee, at its meeting Monday, Nov. 13. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Park Board approved a contractor for the Syracuse Community Center’s new roof at its meeting Monday, Nov. 13.

The contractor chosen is Premier Roofing, Nappanee, the same company that did the old Syracuse Elementary School roof. Its quote for the new roof is $99,850.

Syracuse Town Council has pledged up to $115,000 for the project, which is the estimate to fix the roof.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, said he will go before the town council to request the funds.

In other news, Jonsson presented the board with a list of future park projects. The projects are listed in order with the first priorities to be done between 2024 to 2026. These include replenishing beach sand at Hoy’s Beach, installing steel doors at the community center’s main entry, replacing the drinking fountain at Lakeside Park and replacing the playground at Ward Park.

Other priorities will be done from 2027 to 2029 and others after 2030.

“I will take these and put years to them and bring it back and we will figure how to fund these (projects),” said Jonsson.

The board approved the purchase of a new John Deere zero-turn mower in 2024 with a trade-in allowance for the old 2012 mower.

Jonsson said work is progressing on the Ward Park project. The pavilion and restrooms are being renovated. The new playground will be ordered and installed next year. He is working on quotes for the demolition of the two older buildings. Work is expected to be completed by spring.

An individual is picking up the old playground equipment by the end of December, Jonsson noted.

Jonsson gave the tree board report. Eleven trees were removed and 11 were planted. He said he is also working on the Tree City USA application due Dec. 31.

A “mommy and me swing” has been ordered for Lakeside Park and will arrive in January. It will provide a face-to-face swing for adults and toddlers.

New park rule signs will be ordered for Lakeside Park; he presented a proof of the new sign.

Program Director Darin Lursen presented the program report. Basketball registration has begun; games begin in January. He said they are taking the first eight registered teams.

He said 300 children participated in trick or treat in the park with 12 groups handing out candy during a two-hour period.

The haunted woods event at WACF had 180 participants.

Breakfast with Santa will be from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at SCC.

Jonsson gave the financial report, which the board reviewed.

A new board member, Jace Stewart, was at the meeting. He is the library board’s appointee and a teacher at Syracuse Elementary School and a real estate broker.

The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at SCC.