The Rotary Park renovation that is bringing with it, an assortment of new recreation options, is expected to done by May 2017.
Construction started about two weeks ago.
The new features include a walking path splitting the park and around the perimeter, a retention pond, a water spray area and new playground equipment, bioswale rain garden and rentention pond.
The project is funded through a matching grant with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The Galesburg Rotary Club raised $332,000 and excess fundraising dollars were set to go into an endowment.
Galesburg Parks and Recreation Director Tony Oligney-Estill estimated the endowment’s total at $100,000
Initially the project came under budget as well but Oligney-Estill says Illinois budget impasse held the project up and cost have gone up for labor force pay, materials and changing sub-contractors.
He tells WGIL the increased costs have drained most of the $100,000 endowment.
“Unfortunately with the delay of two years with the state budget prices have increased and so we’re going to end up spending roughly an extra $80,000 to do the exact same work from two years ago,” Oligney-Estill says.
New parking lots are being installed as well.
A larger lot of the park’s south side will have 24 spaces, and about 6 on the north side.
