Municipal Facilities Focus Group continues work on priorities for proposed rebuilding, renovation of City facilities

by Addie Rainbolt

The Grain Valley Municipal Facilities Focus Group held their second meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 5:30pm in the Burgess Room in the Grain Valley Community Center. This meeting focused on design consideration and priorities concerning the rebuilding or renovation of the Grain Valley City Hall, Community Center and Aquatics Center.

This meeting was intended to give the architects at Hoefer Welker a starting point so they may begin designing the facilities.

The Focus Group took a tour of the current municipal facilities at their last meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and began this meeting by discussing their perceptions of the facilities’ needs, and if a renovation or rebuild would be more appropriate.

Lisa Limberg, Ward 2 representative, said the Community Center and City Hall have significant wear and tear, as well as poor infrastructure and organization. 

To renovate the facilities would be “like putting lipstick on a pig,” Limberg said, and would not resolve the current and long term operational issues.

Ryan Schinstock, at-large representative, said building all “new [facilities] would be good… but we have to be responsible.”

Schinstock said the biggest obstacles the city will face to get residents on board with rebuilding the facilities will be cost and location.

The focus group must consider the needs of all residents, Schinstock said, from all areas of Grain Valley.

Moreover, Schinstock said, relocating the municipal facilities to the south side of Grain Valley, and the train tracks, may upset north-side residents.

Bruce Neer, Ward 1 representative, said the facilities are not viable for expansion. So, even putting the wear and tear aside, Neer said, the facilities will not be able to support Grain Valley as it grows.

Mike Cassidy, Ward 1 representative, said the current facilities, specifically the Community Center and pool, lack identity and enticingness. The facilities should reflect the community, Cassidy said, not simply serve their purpose.

Shannon Davies, Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Director, said the facilities need to be larger considering the expected community growth, but larger facilities require more land for expansion and parking, which the current municipal facilities’ campus does not have.

Limberg asked Davies if these larger facilities would also require more city staff.

According to Davies, the amount of city staff would increase, so the cost of admission to some of these facilities, such as the Aquatics Center and exercise room in the Community Center, would need to be reconsidered to accommodate for these increases.

Ken Henton, Hoefer Welker partner, said the amenities these facilities offer will be longer-lasting, more versatile, and designed for residents of all types.

Nick Lawler, Hoefer Welker partner, listed some versatile amenity options for the Aquatics Center.

Some options the focus group discussed prioritizing were shaded and turfed deck space, slides, diving boards, a lazy river, a wet deck and a zero-entry area.

The focus group also discussed some Community Center needs including gathering rooms available for party rentals, a regulation-size basketball court with sidelines and bleachers, an elevated track, furnished exercise room, and indoor child play area. 

The focus group discussed City Hall needs, including adequate staff offices and cubical space, a lobby and reception area, a court and aldermen chamber, and private, large meeting rooms.

The focus group was concerned with the expandability of the new facilities and being prepared for future growth in Grain Valley. 

Steve Wolf, meeting facilitator, said when building for the future, it is important to “give yourself enough room to grow in the capability to host a larger community.” 

However, Wolf said, these larger spaces do not need to be filled until necessary.

Ken Murphy, city administrator, said the new facilities should not be created to be “just a rec[recreation] center, but a community center” with the community’s needs at the forefront, including those of the future community.

The Hoefer Welker partners will hold a design charrette in the community room at the Grain Valley Police Department Dec. 10-13 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Grain Valley Municipal Facilities Focus Group will meet next on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

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