WINONA – More improvements are planned for the Winona Recreational Park.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Winona Mayor and Board of Aldermen, the board voted to build new bathrooms near the tennis courts at the south end of the park. City employees from the water department, Winona Fire Department, and the street department will handle the labor, with the city purchasing the necessary materials to construct male and female bathrooms with a storage room in between.
“The plumbing and electrical will be inside the storage room so we can get to them easier,” said Fire Chief Brad Mooneyham.
According to Winona Mayor Jerry Flowers, bathrooms are needed on the south end of the park after the picnic pavilion, which housed bathrooms, was burned more than a year ago. The pavilion was rebuilt without bathrooms, but now that spring sports are in full swing at the park, additional bathrooms are needed near the tennis courts and the playground area.
“We are going to build [the bathrooms] at the lowest cost possible,” Flowers said. “The money will come out of the tourism funds.”
In other business:
• Paul Hailey with Mobile Communications of Itta Bena asked the board to consider a lease on top of the city’s three water towers for equipment to bring rural internet to the area. City Attorney Ray Baum said he would look into a possible lease agreement.
• Winona Water Superintendent Frank Faulkner said there is still a problem with water pressure on the northwest side of town near the Interstate 55/Highway 82 interchange. The pressure comes and goes, and Faulkner said the city is determining a long-term solution to the problem.
• The board accepted the resignation of Firefighter David Mims.
• The board hired Orlando Bolden as an officer at the Winona Police Department. Bolden comes to Winona from the Town of Vaiden police department.
• Code enforcement officer Timothy Pearson told the board that he is keeping an eye out on high grass now that lawn mowing season has begun. He said he will be sending letters when needed to residents alerting them of the city’s ordinances on the matter.
• The board declared June 3 through 9 National Garden Week in the City of Winona at the request of the Winona Garden Club.
• At the request of Winona Manor, the board proclaimed May 13 through 19 National Skilled Nursing Care Week. Flowers extended an invitation to the board to visit the facility Friday for a special lunch.
• The board hired Letha Theresa Humphrey as the director of Cemetery Street Park. The Cemetery Street Park is owned by the Winona Community Improvement Club, but the city helps maintain and facilitate usage of the park.
