Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Wakefield — Following a recommendation by the city’s new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Wakefield City Council voted Monday evening to authorize the city manager to develop and release a Request for Proposal for preliminary costs of two regulation sand volleyball courts in Eddy Park.
Funds received by the city from the American Rescue Plan Act are expected to cover the expense.
In a related agenda report, City Manager Robert Brown Jr. said that a regulation volleyball court is 52 feet, 6 inches by 26 feet, 3 inches, and the recommended sand depth ranges from 8 to 12 inches.
“The project would include changing the current volleyball court orientation from east-west to north-south to lessen the impact of the sun,” said Brown in relation to players. “The second court will abut the original court to keep players and spectators in a concentrated area.”
He said the type of sand matters. “Investing in high-quality sand is crucial for safe gameplay. Locally available sand contains sharp, course material that may cause abrasions and puncture wounds. Masonry sand is affordable, with silica sand being the premium playing surface. Both options will require outsourcing.”
Support for the project was indicated via several letters of support from members of local volleyball leagues.
“I have spoken with multiple different people and groups from Marquette, all the way to Duluth, that would love to travel to our area for beach volleyball tournaments for males, females, and co-eds,” wrote Erika Greenleaf of Bessemer. “It would boost tourism, local small business development and be a great money maker for Wakefield.”
“I work with children every day for my career and many struggle to find healthy and positive activities to do in our area,” wrote Jenna Fingeroos of Wakefield. “This is one way to promote healthy child development.”
Tessa Cleary of Ramsay also wrote to vouch for the fact that volleyball courts in other local towns get regular use throughout the summer.
Brown said that, once he gathers information on sand costs, he then will supply to the council the numbers and a detailed plan.
Council members also:
—Voted to accept the sole bid of $6,000 from Dean and Sue Ellen Peterson for surplus property No. 53-14-600-230 on Seppa Road. The Petersons indicated in their application that they expect to build a home within five years. The city had requested a minimum bid of $5,780 for the R-1 (Single Family Residential District) lot.
—Voted to authorize the purchase of 16 LED pedestal lights to be installed on the main street. The cost is expected to be under $70,000.
—Voted to allot $2,751 to the Gogebic County Council of Veterans Affairs for the city’s annual portion to cover assistance to local veterans, per a request from John Frello, the county’s veterans affairs officer.
The council’s next regular meeting will be on March 11, and the Planning Commission will meet on March 12. Both meetings will be at 5:30 p.m. in the municipal building.
