Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Wakefield — The Wakefield city council voted Monday to grant members of 4 the Kids permission to use batting net equipment in the community room gym of the municipal building.
Peter Koruga, co-chair of 4 the Kids, said members of his group not only had raised enough funds to pay for the room’s new gym floor, but also has funds left over.
He said 4 the Kids would like to put those extra funds toward netting to allow batting practice in the gym. He estimated the cost of such equipment at $2,695 and said, with the council’s permission to use such a system, members of 4 the Kids will undertake additional fundraising to reach that goal.
Koruga said the netting system is fully contained and woven tightly enough to contain even golf balls.
Since the end of last year, the new gym has been available for extra sports practice by students of the Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School. So far, it has been used to practice basketball and soccer.
Council members also agreed their next meeting agenda should include discussion of an appropriate charge to use the room.
Although school-related activities may be held in the room at no charge, council members discussed the possibility of charging $5 per hour for room use by other groups not affiliated with the school.
City manager Richard Brackney said such a fee should be regarded as no more than “nominal,” since, in his words, “You can’t go to the movies for that.” He said such funds then could be reserved for maintenance costs relating to the room.
Council member Pat Mann asked how the new gym floor can be protected when the room is rented out for other community activities such as graduation parties.
Koruga assured the floor is “durable” enough to hold up under the traffic as long as any food or beverage spills are cleaned up quickly, so as to avoid staining.
Finally, council members learned that W-M Superintendent Jason Gustafson had sent a letter thanking them for allowing 4 the Kids to create the new floor.
“Since becoming a K-12 School and since the expansion of elementary basketball, gym time has become an issue year in and year out,” wrote Gustafson regarding the school’s own gym. “It has been very difficult at times to coordinate schedules to ensure that every team at every level gets sufficient gym time.”
Gustafson added the new municipal room gym now provides students and coaches expanded practice options.
The council also:
—Voted to schedule the city’s spring clean-up for May 31 and June 1.
—Voted to reimburse the cost of lodging and mileage for city manager candidates who interviewed here this month and who submit related receipts.
—Voted to provide in 2019 temporary emergency shelter, if needed, for residents of Wakefield’s eight-bed group home operated by the Gogebic County Community Mental Health Authority. CMH staff would provide food and care in such an event.
—Voted to provide in 2019 temporary emergency shelter, if needed, for residents of Wakefield’s Gogebic Medical Care Facility. GMCF staff would provide food and care in such an event.
—Voted to provide in 2019 assistance to keep GMCF’s outgoing sewer system operational in the event of an emergency that causes a water utility or municipal sewer system failure.
—Voted to reappoint Bella Shroeder to a five-year term on the Wakefield Public Library board.
—Voted to provide, as a promotion for the city’s Eddy Park Campground, two $50-off camping certificates to be given as prizes in the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department ice fishing contest on Feb. 16.
—Voted to arrange for active shooter training to be scheduled for city employees via the Michigan State Police Wakefield Post.
—As per a request by Gogebic County Veterans Service Officer John Frello, voted to pay the city’s $2,524 cost share for services rendered to the city’s veterans and residents.
—Learned the city’s recreation survey has been forwarded to the W-M School so students may offer their opinions.
