Columbus Parks and Recreation Department is adding more lighting and security to the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena.
The Columbus City Council has approved the first reading of an ordinance appropriating $14,750 for these projects from the general capital improvement fund. Ordinances require two readings for full approval. Mayor Jim Lienhoop said the ordinance will be on the agenda again at the council’s May 4 meeting.
Pam Harrell, the associate director of business services for the parks department, said that once the second reading passes, the department plans to use approximately $8,300 for a security system at the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena and approximately $6,450 for lighting in the center’s circle drive.
The upgrades come about six months after the brutal attack on skating coach and professional skater Emaly “Emma” Baxter, who was stabbed and severely injured in the ice arena’s parking lot last October.
“We will be going to the council capital committee next week to get full approval of these projects, but I believe these are projects that will be supported, in that it adds additional security at one of our city sites,” said City Director of Finance, Operations and Risk Jamie Brinegar. “And the security cameras, for me, will be greatly appreciated, as we have none at that site.”
The $14,750 being appropriated for the capital projects comes from monies recently moved out of a now-dormant fund.
City council members approved a resolution declaring a park bond fund dormant and transferring the remaining $14,763.81 to the city’s general fund. Unlike ordinances, resolutions only require one reading to to be approved.
Brinegar said that the fund dated back to 1997, when the parks department issued a $4 million general obligation bond for capital improvements, including an irrigation system, renovation of the Donner Aquatic Center and renovation at the Lincoln softball complex.
“In 2005, the department reissued the bond and then completed payment of the bonds in 2018,” he said. “During that time, the various projects were completed. And at the end of all of that, there was $14,763.81 remaining in the fund.”
