Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets clarified the reason for not opening Prairie Creek Park until next year is not due to financial problems with the project.
“The funding’s there,” said Sheets Tuesday morning. “The reason for the delay is some materials that we had back ordered. Also the soil for the plants and the trees had to be a special blend and we waited on that. We had the bonds issued, we have money from the bonds still, we have donations along with the RDC (Frankfort Redevelopment Commission). So, funding is not part of this reason for the delay.”
Sheets said Monday night that the park will not open this year.
“I’m still looking at not opening Prairie Creek Park possibly for the rest of the year,” said Sheets. “Everything as far as I know has been cancelled through the end of the year. That’s the way I think it’s probably going to have to go this year. Not only because of the park’s completion, but because of the COVID. I think we’re going to have to be very careful on renting the spaces out. My intent right now is nothing’s scheduled through the end of the year.”
Two events — a Family Fun Fest on September 26 as well as a concert on October 10 — had both been scheduled at the Park.
Sheets said they have to have a better idea as to when Prairie Creek Park will be completed.
“It needs to be complete, it needs to pass inspections and also we would have to get the insurance to cover the liability,” said Sheets.
Late Monday afternoon, the Board of Works voted to table a pricing schedule for the Park. According to Sheets, those items include such things as renting the events center, renting the full park and renting the splash pad.
“Right now, I think the biggest thing is just getting materials,” said Sheets. “We have some issues with the COVID-19 and some of the labor. These types of things are what’s caused the delay. I’m hoping that next year we can open full force, get our grand opening and be ready to go.”