DEVILS LAKE — While there may still be some snow on the ground in late March, spring is right around the corner.
The Devils Lake Park Board is shifting gears from the ice and indoor season to the spring, which is expected to be full of baseball, softball and other outdoor activities. The board met Thursday at Dockside Entertainment to discuss the latest happenings.
Golf course superintendent Andy Hokanson and clubhouse manager Rob McIvor both provided updates on how the preparation of Creel Bay is coming along for the spring. Hokanson anticipates somewhere between April 13 and 24 for a start date, but noted that it could change in one direction or another due to weather. He added that he’s still looking for two more employees.
McIvor said he recently got done cleaning the clubhouse and locker rooms. He also added Heidi Schneider, who he said has been a great help as an employee. Memberships are coming in fast, with around 13 tournaments already scheduled for the spring.
Parks & Facilities manager Brent Schmitz talked about shutting down the ice rinks for the season. The ice at Burdick Arena went out on Tuesday and went really well, Schmitz said. He was able to get it off quicker this year than in past years.
Schmitz explained that a water heater needs to be replaced, though, and that he’s planning to utilize Mack Plumbing for it.
Next week, Schmitz is going to try to get the ice off at Bill Jerome Arena. He’s also going to try to have the baseball field ready for the week ahead, as there was still some snow on the field as of March 26. He’s also going to start getting some estimates on other projects to get done in the next two to five weeks.
The board approved motions to purchase a water heater from Mack Plumbing (about $16,900) and a pickup for no more than $30,000.
Concessions manager Josh Widmer recently wrapped up the last round of concessions at the Burdick at the ice show last weekend. The next time concessions will be needed is at baseball games.
Widmer also provided some brief updates on the youth sports programs getting started, noting the strong number of registrations.
The board also briefly brought up the Dockside donor wall, which it had discussed in the past. It was explained that they were continuing to negotiate on the price. The board made a motion to approve the donor wall and graphics.
The board also approved a motion for a three-year support plan for simulator bays, and to table golf carts. Hokanson laid out a proposal for new golf carts, explaining how they’re worth more now than they will be next year. There are numerous features they discussed adding, which would help maintain cart speed on the course and keep everyone in line.
The board approved a motion to send two employees to a grant writing course as well.
Devils Lake boys’ hockey coach Landyn Swenson also stopped by and explained how the team is looking to upgrade the locker room at Burdick Arena. The fund would come from Devils Lake Youth Activities boosters. Swenson went into detail about how the floors are starting to fall apart and get dirty. The lockers, which are 24 years old, are starting to break down, too. He wants a better experience for the kids. He estimates it being in the $30,000 range.
Swenson later talked about the coaches’ room, and how there’s some unused items that could be cleared out, which would give referees, coaches and players more space to store stuff and would give the team a better place to review film, too.
The motion to approve Swenson’s proposal carried.
The board did not immediately set a date for its April meeting.
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