A rendering of the proposed Silver Lake Community Center. Rendering from Hoch Associates.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SILVER LAKE — The town of Silver Lake will soon be filing for an Indiana Community Development Block Grant, through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The town is seeking a grant of $750,000 toward the construction of a community center, to be located at 202 E. Sycamore St.

Details of the new community center project was presented during a public hearing prior to the town council’s regular meeting, Wednesday, April 9. Shannon McLeod with Priority Project Resources gave the presentation. There was no public comment. Another public hearing will be held in the future.

McLeod stated the goal is to bid the project by the end of the year, with construction to begin as soon as the weather breaks next spring.

She stated preliminary plans are due to OCRA by Thursday, April 17. This will get the town’s “hat in the ring,” she stated. There will be a site visit by OCRA officials to view the site and for McLeod and others to “pitch the need for the center to improve and enhance the quality of life in Silver Lake.“ A second public hearing will be held at the town’s regular June meeting where more specific details will be provided along with additional funding options and impact to taxpayers. The final application is due by June 20 and grants will be awarded by the end of August.

“It’s all or none,” McLeod stated, noting OCRA grants are competitive. Should the town “fall short we’ll reapply in the fall round.”

The Plan

While no plans were shown, McLeod provided a history of the project and new cost estimates, which she says is on the high end. She recapped the grant received to remove the former Silver Lake High School building, and a $20,000 grant for initial architecture drawings. Based on a survey of residents, the desire for a facility to play basketball and walk during the winter was noted along with a facility to hold more than 50 people for dinners, reunions and receptions. The architect created several options, with a committee choosing one. But the project would cost $5-$6 million.

Shannon McLeod gives a presentation on the proposed Silver Lake Community Center, during a public hearing Wednesday, April 9.

“The population here could not financially do it,” McLeod stated.

Jim Hoch, Hoch Associates, Fort Wayne, took the original plans, broke it down and “figured ways to make it more affordable,” McLeod said.

The proposed center is 11,000 square feet, with 10,000 square feet designed for community use — kitchen, basketball court, exercise area, meeting room, computer stations and restrooms. The remaining 1,000 square feet would be used for town offices. The cost for that area would be the town’s responsibility.

The total project would cost $2,850,000 with construction estimated at $2.5 million. The remainder would be for nonconstruction expenses — legal and architectural fees.

McLeod discussed various funding avenues including a government loan and bond issues. She stated impact to property taxes are being considered and should there be an impact on taxes, the project would go back to the drawing board.

However, other means of financing are being sought. McLeod and Tonya Conley, clerk-treasurer, along with others are seeking funds from philanthropic groups such as Kosciusko Community Foundation, DEKKO and others.

The donation of the property by the Kerlin family was noted as a great benefit to the project.

Council Business

During the regular board meeting, the council:

Approved ordinances relating to the employee handbook update and amendment to the salary ordinance reflecting the new chief deputy marshal’s salary.

Approved spending $3,000 the first year, $2,000 for the second year for the use of Text My Gov-Citizen Communication. Conley stated this is a way to reach out to town residents to notify them of emergencies and events, and for the citizens to reach out to the appropriate departments with concerns, questions and complaints based on key words. Council President Hugh Murfin asked if there was financing available, which Conley stated there was. Nicole Taylor and Jean Weller, council members, both agreed it was a good idea.

Approved a quote from Gaunt & Sons Asphalt Inc., Wabash, to seal and fill cracks in the fire department’s parking lot. The cost is $7,140. A bid of $7,137 was received from Super Seal. Weller stated, “if you used them before (Gaunt & Sons) I’d say we go back with them.”

Approved the purchase of a 20-foot equipment trailer from Kerlin Motors for the street department at a cost of $5,664. “This will be for the town usage only, not personal usage,” stated Keller.

Approved a quote from Lake City Landscaping for $7,050 for mulch at the parks and $960 for work at the pond. Taylor suggested Joe McNeal, street and utilities superintendent, look into mulch glue to keep the mulch inside the designated area.

Approved donating $750 to the fire department golf fundraiser for a town employee golf team.

Approved the address dissolution of property owned by McGlennen Acquisitions and for deck board replacement. Jason McGlennen stated a garage is on one parcel and the house on another. He will be combining the two properties into one parcel, which will then allow him to replace the deck boards.

McNeal announced the town will be flushing fire hydrants the last full week of April, weather permitting. The dates he noted were April 21-25.

The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14.