Upgrades Coming to Liberty Park Pavilion

Park Commissioner Mike Baumer addresses Batesville City Council on Monday evening.
Park Commissioner Mike Baumer addresses Batesville City Council on Monday evening.

Park Commissioner Mike Baumer was at the monthly Batesville City Council meeting on Monday evening to request upgrades in the pavilion at Liberty Park.

Baumer asked council members to consider and approve upgrades to lighting, trash can lids and also add a ceiling fan in the pavilion.

He said the current lighting is old and not energy efficient. Baumer said, “The new lights are LED and very energy efficient. It will save the park money on electricity and provide better lighting.”

Baumer noted another plus for new lighting is the current rebates available. In a presentation to the council, he said the total cost to replace all lights in the pavilion, including labor and material would be $2,828.26. With a rebate of $2,080.00, the cost to the city would be $748.26.

There are 11 fixtures and 21 flood lights that would be replaced.

Every garbage can has a lid at Liberty Park except for ten in the pavilion. Baumer requested lids for the ten remaining.

He cited a problem with bees, as well as trash can liners falling in the barrel. He noted, “It will save us on trash bags because they will not be falling in the can and it will be safer because of the bee problem.”

“It will just be an upgrade versus not having them.”

The ten plastic dome trash can lids from Kay Park Recreation will cost a total of $1,152.00.

Batesville City Council members approved lighting and trash can lid upgrades, and the funding is coming out of the Belterra Fund.

Baumer also requested a large ceiling fan in the pavilion. He presented different options including a 24’ fan that would cost $4,890.00.

A cheaper option was presented which would feature three 30” industrial ceiling mounted fans for $276.50 each. Baumer noted, “I feel the three fans would move enough air to help keep the pavilion cooler on hot days.”

Batesville City Council President Gene Lambert suggested Rite-Hite fans as another option for Baumer to consider.

Baumer will continue to research industrial ceiling fans for the pavilion before council approves. He referenced GE Lighting and Tool & Die as places with fans similar to what they are looking for.

Mayor Rick Fledderman said, “I am a big proponent of a fan of some sort in the pavilion.”

“When events are held in the summer it can get pretty hot under there,” he added.