The Levelland Community Development Corporation (LCDC) recently held a regular meeting where the group approved the funding of several items including a comprehensive study around the City Park.
Beginning the meeting, the group recapped the projects that were approved and completed for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. New LED scoreboard lights were completed at the Oxy Sports Complex along with a lean-to at the complex’s maintenance barn. Additionally, the soccer field lights were installed at the complex and seed money was used for a plan to look at phase two at the complex as well.
Levelland City Manager James Fisher explained that much of the discussion within the meeting included future plans for the complex. Fisher explained that many city’s within the area have made Levelland the blue print for building similar complex’s within their own area.
In turn, the conversation has led to open dialogue regarding phase two of the complex.
As the complex has brought a lot of traffic from the surrounding area, Fisher explained the group also discussed the quality of life and aiding parks within the city. From city council to the LCDC the goal has been to find solutions to reinvest back into the city parks system.
Parks and Cemetery Director Dustin Reichelt will be looking at what kind of funds would be required to address the fields currently located within the City Park as that was also brought to attention by the group.
Currently, the department staff works to keep those fields safe and playable enough for practices for the leagues within the city and others who wish to utilize them.
“Looking at the City Park there has been a considerable amount of work done to make it the best it can be, but that does not mean we need to walk away,” explained Fisher. “That is why we will be trying to see what the numbers look like for improvements and the group will come back and look at options.”
Moving forward with budget work session for the upcoming fiscal year for 2024-2025, the group held a lengthy discussion which resulted in approving a Parks Master Plan for $65,000 and an additional $15,000 to take an extensive look into the current state of the city pool.
The group also approved a new 50x50 basketball court for the park located on 17th Street for $25,000, 50 trees at City Park for $8,000 and a pickleball court conversion at the old tennis courts located next to the skate park for $25,000. The conversion will consist of four usable courts.
“It is important to parks are a major investment and economic tool,” added Fisher. “When people look at your community they also look at quality of life features to see what their employees and families do.”