Saturday's Internet Edition, 08:20 PM, May 17, 2008.
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Grass, soil and water samples from the park were sent to Olsen’s Agricultural Laboratory, Inc. in McCook, Neb., in April. The grass and soil tested very high in soluble salt. The exchangeable sodium percentage tests were also very high, at 27 percent for the grass and 29 percent for the soil. These percentages should be less than 8 percent, according to the laboratory.
The “sodium hazard” of the water sample, which is based on a calculation of sodium absorption ratio, tested “very high.”
“On the report, sodium is 175 [milligrams per liter], and it is supposed to be 30 to 60,” said director Dean Gaudot.
To help correct the excess, Gaudot said professionals he consulted recommend that gypsum be worked into the soil at a rate of 25 pounds per thousand square feet. The issue of sodium in water used to irrigate the park could be addressed with salt-tolerant sod.
Gaudot reported Bigfoot Turf in LaSalle sells a salt-tolerant sod that is 40 percent bluegrass, 30 percent red fescue and 30 percent rye. Once established, the sod requires less water than regular bluegrass.
“Bigfoot will deliver and install 5,000 square feet of the sod for $2,050,” Gaudot said.
The bid will be considered and a vote taken at a special meeting May 22.
Directors and volunteers will map the sprinkler system, rototill the area and work on improving the drainage as soon as possible. The sprinkler system will be improved, if necessary.
“We’re looking at $60 for the gypsum and probably less than $200 for extra sprinkler heads and pipe and fittings,” Gaudot said. “We could have a beautiful park by the Fourth of July if we get this done.”
Kathy Skipper, the liaison between the museum the rec district manages and the Church of Christ, attended the meeting to discuss the museum. The Church of Christ congregation, which has been using the church building housing the museum, has experienced a loss in membership and will no longer meet there. Skipper noted that paperwork in the Church of Christ’s name is being changed, and a few local congregants will still use the church, if the rec district approves.
“We have five members of the church still here,” Skipper said. “[But] we won’t have the people coming from Limon. They have driven from Limon twice a week for five years, and that’s a long time.”
The Church of Christ has cared for the building well, according to Skipper.
“The church is in beautiful shape,” she said. “They just finished waxing the floors and hardwood in there, and the stained glass windows were cleaned.”
Skipper presented the district a $500 donation from the Church of Christ.
“I think we should put that money back into the museum,” said board president Richard Williams.
The board approved the continued use of the church by the reorganized local congregants, and Skipper to remain as the liaison.
Gaudot reported plumbing fixtures in the restrooms at Byers Park have been replaced and an enclosure built around the pipes.
“The piping got stolen last year,” Gaudot said. “We had Doug Lippitt re-pipe it all, and Ron Smiley came in and put a wall and a roof up to protect it.”
Treasurer Carrie Kalcevic reported that Lippitt Hardware donated $150 of the materials for the plumbing.
The concession stand re-roofing project is nearly complete. The door on the building will be replaced as well.
In other business, the board approved an expenditure of $3,000 for Fourth of July fireworks, and a motion passed approving the appointment of Williams for another two-year board term.
The oath of office and election of officers will occur at a special meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 22, at Quint Valley.