MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — The McCracken County Fiscal Court reviewed the final bids for the Paducah Sports Park Monday night. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $66.2 million with potential cost reductions of $1.2 million.
The selection committee, created per the interlocal agreement between the county, city, and sports tourism commission, received about 12 project bids in May. After review, the committee recommended two bid packages to each commission.
The diamond fields feature four baseball league fields (330 foot foul line), which can be converted into ten baseball league fields (215 foot foul line) and four U12, eight U10, 16 U8, or 40 U6 soccer fields.
The first bid package accounts for site/civil construction, turf, and field lights. The bids were proposed by A&K Construction, Sprint Turf, and Musco, respectively.
The second bid package includes buildings and kitchen equipment. A&K Construction proposed the building bid and Stafford Smith proposed the bid for kitchen equipment.
McCracken County Community Development Director Steve Ervin presented renderings and maps of the future sports park. The designs included diamond fields, rectangular fields, and a Stuart Nelson Memorial.
The diamond fields feature four baseball league fields (330 feet foul line), which can be converted into 10 baseball league fields (215 feet foul line) and four U12, eight U10, 16 U8, or 40 U6 soccer fields. Each of the various fields accommodate different age groups in soccer, with children under the age of 10 being able to play on a U10 field and children 8-years-old and younger playing on a U8 field. The higher the age, the larger the soccer field must be.
The rectangular fields feature five fields that are 500 feet by 250 feet of synthetic turf. The fields can be converted into 50 U6; 15 U8; 10 U10; or five U12, U15, and U19 soccer fields.
The rectangular fields feature five fields that are 500 feet by 250 feet of synthetic turf. The fields can be converted into 50 U6; 15 U8; 10 U10; or five U12, U15, and U19 soccer fields.
The Stuart Nelson Memorial will feature a public area with art, statues, and memorials.
Some other key design elements include shade and shelters at the corners of the fields, concessions with fully functioning kitchens, a disc golf course, and a community playground.
Some other key design elements include shade and shelters at the corners of the fields, concessions with fully functioning kitchens, a disc golf course, and a community playground.
McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer said after three years of planning and rising costs, the sports park will serve the community and the people it brings in.
“We’re going to get the thing done,” Clymer said. “We’re going to have one heck of a sports park.”
The Paducah City Commission will receive the bids at its meeting Tuesday night. City and county leaders are preparing to approve bids at their next meetings. Once the bids are approved, the construction is expected to last 502 days.
During the meeting, the Fiscal Court discussed legal medical cannabis in the county. According to state law, marijuana growers and cultivators can start applying for state licenses July 1. Ultimately, the county decided not to take further action for or against the issue. The commissioners unanimously agreed to take no action opposing permissions allowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in regards to legal cannabis.
The commissioners unanimously agreed to take no action opposing permissions allowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in regards to legal cannabis.
The fiscal court also had the first reading of an ordinance that would establish and impose an annual fee on all occupied real estate parcels within the limits of McCracken County outside the limits of the city of Paducah. The parcel fee will facilitate funding for the operational costs of emergency 911 communication services.
Per an interlocal agreement, the city and county will update 911 services, radio technology, tower signal, and other equipment. The operational costs were funded by a monthly land-line fee, but as more people use mobile devices, those funds have significantly decreased. The interlocal agreement established that parcel fees will now be the main source of funds for emergency 911 services.
The current draft of the ordinance recommends an annual parcel fee of $45 for residential units, $150 for non-retail commercial units, and $210 to $1,550 for commercial retail units.
The second reading of the ordinance will be at the next fiscal court meeting.
