Former Oakdale Park pool, skating rink to be demolished
An area in the center of Oakdale Park that has been used in the past 100 years as a swimming pool and then a skating rink is set to be torn down.
The move comes after the Salina City Commission on Monday approved more than $80,000 on a bid from Diehl Enterprises for the demolition.
Jeff Hammond, director of Salina parks and recreation, said the demolition will involve removing around 35,000-sq. ft. of concrete slabs and sidewalks going 3 feet below the surface.
"This will require about 5,000 tons of backfill soil, which will be compacted and grated to match the park surroundings," Hammond said.
According to Hammond, the parks and recreation master plan identified this project as way to allow future improvements to happen at the park.
Commissioner Bill Longbine asked Hammond about the immediate future of the area.
"Right now, it's just going to be a green space?" Longbine asked.
Hammond confirmed this and said park staff will go in after the soil is compacted for the fine grating and then seed the area for grass.
City Manager Mike Schrage interjected that having this space as grass right now may allow for more opportunities in the park for things like the Smoky Hill River Festival and other arts and humanities department uses.
"Long term, we can have master planning conversations about Oakdale Park in general and/or other improvements that support the river festival," Schrage said.
Longbine said in addition to use during the river festival, he realized another use for this extra space.
"I guess I thought it would be more space for more cars at the (Kustom Kemps of America Leadsled Spectacular)," Longbine said.
In the end, the commission voted 5-0 in favor of the Diehl bid.
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Other Salina City Commission business
The Salina City Commission meeting also included the following items:
Approval, on first reading, a change in zoning for a portion of land at the north end of Berkley Family Recreation Area that will be used to relocation Salina Fire Station No. 4.
Approval, on first reading, an application to amend the boundary and effective area of the North Ohio Street Gateway Overlay District to add an area of land recently annexed into the city for the Beck's Hybrid Seed Company facility.
A 25 minute executive session related to Salina Destination Development's multi-family housing project, with no action taken following the session.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina approves demolition of Oakdale Park's former pool, skating rink
