City commission hears tennis center proposal

By Michael Pommier

The Fort Scott Tribune

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday heard a proposal from resident Roger Bailey for a possible $440,000 tennis center.

The concept includes a facility located on the northwest corner of the Fort Scott Middle School property with at least six tennis courts, bleachers and restroom facilities.

Currently, there are several tennis courts spread throughout Fort Scott, which are in various states of disrepair. Bailey, a tennis player himself, said having the courts spread out makes it quite difficult for the high school tennis team to host events.

"It is difficult hosting tournaments in different locations," he said.

Fort Scott High School tennis coach Lynn Barr, also attending the meeting, said to make the project a reality, it would need to be in partnership with the city and USD 234.

"A project like this is a big one," he said. "Probably too big for one entity to take on by itself."

The estimated cost of the project is about $440,000. Bailey and Barr addressed the commission asking for any help to find grant opportunities, assistance in applying for grants, or any in-kind services.

The U-234 school board has already requested that a feasibility study be done before it makes a commitment to the project. The city agreed that a commitment would not be made until a study is completed.

Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin, U-234 Superintendent Rick Werling and a representative from the group for the tennis center will meet at a later date to make sure everyone is on the same page before moving forward.

Other business conducted by the commission included:

* Recognized John K. Speer Sr. for his 13 years of service as the caretaker at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Speer was presented with a certificate and a key to the city.

* Approved a bid of $1,925 to Cutler Services LLC of Fort Scott for the demolition of a structure located at 615 Couch. Fort Scott Codes Administrator Kent Hamlin said he has received several calls from nearby residents stating their appreciation for the action begin taken.

* Approved a bid of $9,390 to RSC Construction Inc., of Fort Scott, for the construction of a curb on both sides of Ninth Street from Eddy to Holbrook, approximately 530 feet. Fort Scott Director of Public Works Eric Bailey said that section of street is experiencing sub-base failure which is causing bricks to heave, making the street impassible.

He said after the guttering is constructed then the sub-base issue will be repaired and the bricks will be re-laid.

* Approved an agreement for Environmental Evaluation Services in regards to the expansion at the Fort Scott Municipal Airport.

Ninety-five percent of the study is being funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and the city's share of the cost would be about $3,800.

* Approved a bid of $17,148 from PROSEAL for the application of Reclamite, a product which will be applied to the streets which were resurfaced in 2009 to protect them from aging.

Bailey said he spoke with several other cities that use the product and it came with great recommendations.

He said the product is expected to extend the life of the asphalt by five to seven years for each application.

* Voted to proceed with a consultation with bond counsel to look into writing a ballot question for an April vote on a half-cent sales tax, which would be used to fund a new aquatic facility, as well as an addition to the Buck Run Community Center.

* Voted to proceed with finding a way to move the commission room/city court into the new City Hall location.

Martin said the codes department will not make the move. However, if a new location is found for the Fort Scott Police Department, the codes office will move into the space currently occupied by the FSPD in the Hawkins Public Safety Facility.