The Carroll City Council voted to approve the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for over $1 million in planned renovations to historic Merchants Park. The council hosted the required public hearing during its May 13 meeting. Parks and Rec Director Chad Tiemeyer detailed the project’s scope.
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The cost of construction opinion presented during Monday’s hearing was $1.21 million. Funding for the project includes $354,000 from the City of Carroll, $50,000 from the county and local schools, $316,000 in private fundraising, and nearly $300,000 in grants, leaving the project with an almost $200,000 shortfall. City officials will need to determine at a future meeting where they will source the remaining funds. Construction is scheduled to begin almost immediately after the last game of the season is played at Merchants Park, with a projected completion date of Dec. 1. The council appeared generally supportive of the renovations, but Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton asked if the city had any firm commitment from the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) that state baseball would remain in Carroll after the current contract expires.
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Tiemeyer adds interest in the facility has grown from other organizations beyond the IHSAA and Merchants, as the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) is hosting its conference tournament at Merchants Park next spring. Tiemeyer says the IHSAA can’t even commit to keeping state baseball in Carroll due to the site selection process, but he is confident that Merchants Park will be home to the 1A and 2A state tournaments for the near future.
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Atherton also questioned the 15-percent contingency for the project. Tiemeyer responded by saying that is a standard protocol for engineering firms when developing a cost estimate. Tiemeyer adds that most people might not realize it, but Merchants Park draws many people each year.
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The council voted 6-0 to approve the plans, specifications, forms of contract, and estimated cost for the Merchants Park renovations. The council will review bids for the project at an upcoming meeting.