Highland Heights Considers New Pavilion for Park

Instead of renovating an old pool house building, Highland Heights City Council may go with a new, less-expensive structure and use the difference to repair roads in Highland Heights Community Park.

At a Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, council heard a proposal from Recreation Director David Ianiro for a 30-foot-by-60-foot pavilion that would be open on two sides, with sliding doors on the other sides that can be closed to secure the building.

Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday to authorize an architect to design the building and the city engineer to prepare estimates for road work.

Councilwoman Cathy Murphy said the plan was different than what was considered, but renovating the pool house was too expensive.

"We had sticker shock when we sent it out for bid," she said.

The lowest bid received was $222,000, which was more than the $200,000 allocated for the project. The new building, renovating bathrooms and related work is expected to cost less than $100,000, with the difference available for road work.

"The Park and Rec Committee did vote unanimously to support the approach to the pavilion project," she said.

Ianiro said the new building will be popular with residents.

"Once it's complete, it will be one of the most sought-after rentals in the park," Ianiro said.

Mayor Scott Coleman said the new proposal meets the needs of day camp and creates something that can be used for other purposes, while retaining bathrooms at the pool house and allowing the balance of funds to be spent on helping roads.

"We all know that the roads need to be addressed in the park," Council President Scott Mills said.

Although some council members are still concerned about safety at the park's entrance and would like to see the entrance moved, that will not be part of work to be done this year.

However, Service Director Thom Evans said repairs done this year would not be wasted because the area will still be used for parking even if the entrance is moved.