Council considers Pioneer Square renovations
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Courtesy/CEPI
Architectural drawings for the preferred option for Pioneer Square in Worland depict a small amphitheater and splash pad.
WORLAND - The Worland City Council moved forward last week with a project to renovate Pioneer Square Park.
At the Jan. 5 Worland City Council meeting, the council voted to notify the architects of their preferred option and that the council is ready to explore costs for the chosen option
There was discussion about inclusion of a splash pad in the option with newly elected President of the Council Mandy Horath stating, "It's the norm to have them in your parks."
With a splash pad at the Worland Aquatic Center, there was concern about competing with the entity. The council noted that visitors have to pay to use the one at the WAC but one at the park would be free.
The council agreed to keep it in the designs and see what the costs would be.
Why renovations
The council is looking at renovations because the park is 25 years old, Mayor Dave Duffy said. "It's showing its age." Another reason for renovations is the potential. "We were hoping to make it [the park] more usable, more user-friendly and more attractive for citizens and people passing through."
No official renovation dates have been decided due to budgetary issues, but the council decided to explore costs with the architectures from CEPI (an engineering company based out of Casper). Duffy said they are thinking of doing the renovations in phases rather than altogether to help with costs.
"We do have a contract with CEPI to provide us with conceptual designs and ideas on things we might do," the mayor said. "At this point we have a preference for one of the plans, but nothing has been finalized."
Renovations depend on state and local budget and taxes.
"The city wouldn't be able to fund it entirely ourselves. To a certain extent it's dependent on what the state government looks like and what money might be available to cities, counties and towns," the mayor said.
"There are a number of programs, like the Wyoming Business Council, that have funds available for gateway projects that would enhance the appearance of the community," Duffy said. Those funds are decreasing because of the downturn in coal, oil and other mineral severance taxes.
The mineral severance tax is another fund the community was dependent on, Duffy said. This tax was charged by oil companies that drilled into wells. The mineral severance tax money went into savings and went to cities, counties and towns [of Wyoming], according to the mayor.
"In the last two year sessions the State Legislature has provided to various cities, counties and towns $180 million for various kinds of projects. The proposed budget for the next two years is half of that," the mayor said.
"Until we have an idea of funds we don't know, [when the renovations will begin] but we hope for four years," Duffy said.
Existing park structure
Pioneer Square has two statures depicting historical pioneer life, and they might not be included in the structure.
Out of all the conceptual design options, the only existing structures that are consistent are the bathroom and the bell tower, the mayor said.
