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Tusayan community park grand opening Dec. 19
Phase one of project around 90 percent complete, electrical wiring and basketball hoop installation to happen soon

Grand Canyon School Project Manager Andrew Aldaz stands on the new sport court area. The court is the first phase of a three phase project that will bring greater recreation opportunities to Tusayan. Clara Beard/WGCN

Grand Canyon School Project Manager Andrew Aldaz stands on the new sport court area. The court is the first phase of a three phase project that will bring greater recreation opportunities to Tusayan. Clara Beard/WGCN

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - The town of Tusayan will put on a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 4 p.m. for the community park located on Long Jim Loop. Refreshments will be available.

Even though the first of several phases in the construction of the Tusayan Community Park is near completion, Project Manager Andrew Aldaz said crews are still waiting for lighting and electric wiring for the sport court and the parking area.

"We are supposed to be getting some money from the town and whatever we have left over from the school to complete the fencing for the sports court and play structure and also the woodchips and timber for around the play structure," Aldaz said.

Community Park committee members still need money for the ramada and play structure additions. After those projects are completed, phase two will be set in motion when money is raised.

"I think it's good that people see where we are at and hopefully we can get more donors to be able to add to the play structure," Aldaz said. "Hopefully more people will step up and help us with funding so we would be able to get all of phase one complete, which is the sports court, ramada and the play structure."

During an August town council meeting, town staff slanted the the proposed ramada, including slab and superstructure to cost $146,940.

Fencing, curbing and fall protection will cost around $78,500, but does not include any play structures. Also, town staff predicted preliminary work for the play area to cost around $27,800.

Interim Tusayan Town Manager Tami Ryall said they need a total of $554,800 to complete the entire scope of the proposed project along with all bid alternates. Completing a sports court along with necessary parking, lighting, fencing and architect and project management fees will cost $287,500.

The park project was conceptualized in 2001 by local residents Pete Shearer and Clarinda Vail. They worked to acquire land from the Forest Service through the Education Land Grant Act. Under the legislation, public school districts may purchase up to 80 acres of federal land, at $10 per acre, for educational use. The school district bought 80 acres of land in June of 2008.

During a council meeting back in May, staff estimated the entire sports complex to cost between $5 million and $6 million dollars.


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