In keeping up with increased strain on parking at Civic Center Park that a new skate park and future amphitheater could bring, the township plans to construct a 100-space parking lot.
The Orion Township Board approved $266,000 for the project that will take place in 2006. Funds originally budgeted for ballfield lighting will be used for the new parking lot at the park on Joslyn.
The money will be carried over from the 2005 budget to 2006.
At the Oct. 17 meeting, parks and recreation director Rock Blanchard said the parks and recreation advisory committee asked the $300,000 budgeted for ballfield lighting be pulled over to be used for parking.
He said members of the committee had polled local sports league representatives regarding the need for ballfield lighting and got mixed results.
‘The boys baseball and girls softball leagues felt lights were needed due to the capacity of the fields, but they felt the greatest need would be in the next three to four years as the kids get older,? said Blanchard.
Of the $300,000 to be pulled over to the 2006 budget, Blanchard said $266,000 will go towards the parking lot, with $34,000 left over to complete an athletic field and purchase entrance lighting for Friendship Park at Clarkston and Baldwin.
The board agreed to also approve completion of the Friendship athletic field, except for irrigation which will have to be budgeted for later.
‘How does this 100-space lot fit into the five-phase plan (for Civic Center)?? asked clerk Jill Bastian.
Blanchard said a 200-space lot was part of that plan.
‘But I believe 100 spaces at this time will be adequate for overflow and for the future amphitheater and skate park,? he said.
In response to Bastian’s comment that allowing him to carry over unused funds might set a precedent for other department heads, Blanchard said ‘I know it’s not a good practice, but it has been done.?
Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said it was part of the board’s responsibility to help build equity in the township, such as a new parking lot.
‘I think we need to focus on Civic Center Park,? he said.