O’Fallon’s plans for renovations to Community Park, new swimming pool coming into view
While plans are still being formulated for the enhancements to the O’Fallon Community Park, some progress is underway.
Community Park improvements include a new pool, event space, and renovations to the Katy Cavins Center.
Holland Construction Services of Swansea has been selected for construction management services. The O’Fallon City Council approved a contract that will not exceed $75,000 for pre-construction cost and 4.75% of construction management, and any necessary budget adjustment be made for the FY23 budget.
In November, Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Dallner said the city advertised a request for bid on the project and three construction management firms were interviewed. They selected Holland, and the city has worked with them before, notably the Public Safety building, the construction of Phase 1 on the Family Sports Park, and most recently, Firehouse No. 4.
The major changes are expected within the next two years. The city pool will be totally rebuilt and enlarged. The current pool, built in 1959, has become inadequate and needs major work.
At the last parks committee meeting, Dallner anticipated the new pool to be ready in 2025.
The Community Park is located along U.S. Highway 50 and is home to the annual City Fest in August.
O’Fallon Mayor Herb Roach said when the pool was built, the town’s population was only about 4,000. It is now over 30,000.
The event space near the pool, known as Festival Plaza, will feature a bandstand and shaded cloth canopies.
Replacing the community swimming pool, creating an all-inclusive playground, and adding community space for gatherings was part of the O’Fallon Parks Master Plan, along with more hiking and biking trails, completing the Family Sports Park, and putting new parks in underserved areas.
The park department has surveyed residents and held meetings to solicit input on plans.
Presidential streets work
More work to improve draining and upgrade the existing sewer, water, and roadway infrastructure will move forward, as the council approved a nearly $4 million contract with low-bidder L.W. Contractors of Collinsville.
The Department of Public Work is currently in Phase 2 and 3 on the Presidential Streets projects. This one in Ward 3 will improve the drainage, install new sanitary sewers, water mains and reconstruct the roadways in the area.
This current area has old clay sanitary sewers and asbestos concrete water mains that need replacement. This portion also experiences standing water and localized flooding when it rains.
This project was funded in the FY23 budget and additional funds will be allocated in the FY24 Prop S, Water, and Sewer Budgets for this work.
County to take over sirens maintenance
The city signed an intergovernmental agreement with St. Clair County for purpose of redeveloping and maintaining a county-wide emergency alert siren system for emergency notification to county residents.
The county will replace all sirens, perform preventive maintenance, and activate them when necessary during storms. It is estimated to save the city $7,500 a year in maintenance.
Races shape up for municipal election
City Clerk Jerry Mouser said filing has been completed for the municipal election on April 4, 2023. One seat in six wards and two in Ward 7 will be decided.
Races are set for Wards 2, 3 and 4. Incumbent Alderman Jessica Lotz, elected in 2019, is being challenged in Ward 2 by Mary Jeanne Hutchinson, the former parks and recreation director.
In Ward 3, Andrea Fohne, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the thrice-elected alderman Kevin Hagarty after his death last spring, will face resident Vern Malare, who previously ran in 2017.
In Ward 4, Alderman Todd Roach, elected in 2019, will face former Ward 3 alderman Matthew Gilreath, who did not seek re-election in 2021 and he was elected O’Fallon Township Clerk. Gilreath was appointed to the council in 2016 and won the seat in 2017.
Ward 5 Aldermen Gwen Randolph is not running for re-election. Randolph, appointed in 2018, made history as the first African American woman to serve on the council. She was re-elected in 2019. Aaron Hudson has filed to run for the open seat.
One-term incumbents Dennis Muyleart of Ward 1, Tom Vorce in Ward 6, and Nathan Parchman in Ward 7 will not face opponents, and neither will appointee Eric Van Hook, who filled the late Dan Witt’s seat last summer, and is seeking the two-year term remaining.
Holiday activities a big draw downtown
Mayor Herb Roach honored Beth Ortega and her team of elves behind the success of the Illuminated Holiday Parade this year, and for the past five years. Ortega took on organizing and planning the annual tradition when previous organizers retired. This is the 30th anniversary of the holiday parade, and has grown every year, he said.
“You have taken it to new heights, and thousands were in attendance. Your merry band of elves brought joy to all ages,” Roach said.
The lighted parade that winds through downtown is a treasured community tradition and was followed by a free community gathering on Vine Street from Bike Surgeon to O’Fallon Station, with hot chocolate, popcorn, cookies, cider, ornaments, coloring pages, letters to Santa, and character greetings.
This year’s parade was moved from Saturday to Sunday, Nov. 27, because of inclement weather.
As the volunteers were honored at the meeting, Ortega thanked the community for their support and her volunteers for their hard work.
On the event Facebook page, she noted: “You all showed up in many thousands… and shared your spirit and love right back with us. I hope this tradition continues for many years to come- growing and sharing and loving each other through it all. I love this town, and I love this parade. Thank you all for participating in and supporting us year after year… This is truly done by a small crew of 15ish folks, and we love every minute!”
Roach said all the holiday activities downtown were successful.
“They had a very, very good season. People enjoyed coming downtown and participating in any and all of the activities,” he said.
The Vine Street Market’s Winter Market on Dec. 10 was “phenomenal,” Dallner said at the recent parks committee meeting.
Holiday schedule
City Hall will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Dec. 26, and there will be no committee meetings that night. The Jan. 2 City Council meeting has been cancelled, and the next one will be on Tuesday, Jan. 17, because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Jan. 16.