Ice rink, dog park topics at council meeting

The Basin Town Council heard committee reports at their meeting on August 28. During the reports, an ice rink and dog park were mentioned. The council voted to add those topics to the agenda so they could be discussed at greater length.  

Councilman Chuck Hopkin said during the Rec District report that Director Cash Duncan asked about setting up an ice rink at the ballfield. (The town of Basin’s ice rink was taken apart when the property it was on was sold to the school. At the time, the town said it would put up an ice rink at another location.  All the equipment, forms including skates have been stored in anticipation of a new rink.) 

Hopkin thinks the buildings at the ball field could be heated for the kids who skate. The ice rink would be temporary this year to test the concept. Rec board members will discuss at their September meeting.  

During the later discussion, the mayor said, “It has been talked about before, the ice rink. I don’t know if the ice rink structure we have, that was left over ... I don’t know if it is in good enough shape to put back together.” 

Hopkin wondered if the town could berm on the west of the west ballfield. Though, one issue with that location would be that the current buildings at the field would be too far away from the rink. Another possible location would be north of the east ballfield. Hopkin said he would bring the Rec District director with him so they could investigate the feasibility of that spot. 

Town foreman Tony Harrison mentioned the ice-skating rink at Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site. Hopkin said he helps set that rink up every year. The park has forms to hold the plastic in place. Once it is filled, there is 14-16 inches of ice. It is tough on the lawn there. He said that rink is very small, too. Medicine Lodge uses a tent for the warming area. He wondered if the bathrooms at the ballfield were heated. Duncan said there may be heaters but if there are they haven’t been used for years.

Hopkin explained that the rec director was trying to come up with a winter sport that would utilize the existing buildings. 

Hopkin also told the council there was a resignation from the rec board. One person has come forward expressing their desire to be on the it. 

DOG PARK  

Councilwoman Linda Weeks said the Beautification Committee discussed moving the proposed dog park to Lions Field. Dog owners who have given feedback were concerned about the location right next to the highway on Fourth Street/U.S. Highway 16/20. 

There is fenced area already at Lions that currently houses the playground that could be used. Weeks said she just wanted to throw the idea out to the council. 

Duncan said he was not a fan of the dog park being where the playground equipment was. He said he is not against turning the east ball field into a dog park. “The trees have grown, the roots are so bad in the outfield, you can’t play baseball/softball on that field.” He is comfortable with exploring the skating rink on the west side of the east field and the other half becoming a dog park. 

Weeks said the committee was just trying to come up a solution/location that was basically ready to go. The access to a dog park at Lions Field already has a clear way to access it with the walking path. 

Harrison said this time of year there is standing water in the ballfields parking lot because of the canal water seepage that will never be able to be fixed. 

Councilman Brent Godfrey asked Councilman Mike Dellos if the town crew had built a temporary ice rink at the fairgrounds one year. Dellos indicated that had been done. Duncan noted it was a rough year for that because the temperatures didn’t get cold enough. 

Hopkin said one good ballfield was all the town really needed anyway. He said he would bring it before the rec board. Duncan said he believes the town should have a plan to move forward before asking the Rec District to make a plan. 

Dellos added there needed to be a way to get water to the proposed location for the rink. There is only a spigot for a garden hose on the side of the restroom building.   

Duncan reminded the council there is no money budgeted for these projects so at this point the town should figure out costs and logistics. He asked town engineer Jesse Frisbee to come up with some preliminary plans. 

In the rest of her report, Weeks noted Yard of the Month is still on going. For October, November and December the yards will be judged on holiday décor. Work has been done at Russell Park and a map of the town will be a spring project.

In other business, Riverside teacher Stuart DesRosier asked the town if the school could use three rooms in town hall for an upcoming Knowledge Bowl. The council approved the request.