Commission awards park grants

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 14, 2006

The Shelby County Commission granted more than $105,000 in Park and Recreation grants for its winter 2006 funding cycle.

The county granted $30,000 to the city of Helena for a new recreational center at the Helena Sports Complex.

The recreational center will provide the community with basketball, track, gymnastics, volleyball and other related indoor facilities, according to county officials.

The $30,000 chipped in by the county will be put toward the project&8217;s total cost of $1.03 million.

The Kiwanis Club of Helena also received $30,000 to continue the development of the boundless playground at Joe Tucker Park.

The funds will be used to install phase 3 playground equipment and surfacing. Total project cost is $124,000.

Chelsea Youth Club will receive $19,640 to install lights on one baseball field and construct a pavilion with picnic tables at Chelsea Youth Fields. Total cost of the project is $78,560.

The city of Alabaster was granted $14,359.34 to put toward work at Warrior Park.

The city plans to replace fencing and dugouts on three of four baseball/softball fields at the park. Total project cost is $57,437.35.

The town of Vincent was granted $8,249.50 for a project at Vincent Municipal Park.

According to officials, the town is installing new playground equipment to serve children up to age 12 at a total cost of $32,998.

The city of Montevallo will receive $7,500 for continued improvements to Dailey Park (in front of Montevallo Middle School).

Phase II improvements, with a total project cost os $30,000, include construction of a second pavilion, a paved Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walkway connecting the entrance, playground area and pavilions, installation of a park and perimeter landscaping and installation of an entrance sign.

In other business, the county discussed appointments to the Harrison Regional Library Board.

According to a letter submitted to the commission by library director Barbara Roberts, two board members&8217; terms are up for re-appointment. Another board member, Roger D. Massey of Inverness, expressed his interest in becoming a board member should a position become available.

Roberts said current board member David W. Brasfield requested to be removed from the board.

Roberts recommended the re-appointment of Peggy Dobbs and Bobby Harris and the appointment of Massey.

The commission will take action at its next meeting.

Chris Monceret, director of the Shelby County Department of Human Resources, recommended the appointment of Pelham Police Officer Larry Palmer be appointed to the DHR Board. Palmer resides in Alabaster