Politics & Government

$6.8 Million Phase One of O'Day Park Plan Includes Lodge, Trails, Parking

Plans for the lodge have increased from a capacity of 180 people to 260 people.

A proposed plan for developing O’Day Park breaks the $14.8 million project into "bite-size chunks," with the $6.8 million first phase including an enlarged lodge, trails and parking lots.

Carrie Coyne of SWT Design told the city council during its June 27 work session that her firm was asked to add a multi-purpose facility into the 2009 master plan for O'Day Park. 

Michael Blaes, architect for the lodge, said that plans had grown from a 3,000 square foot banquet hall to a 4,000 square foot banquet hall with an additional 1,000 square feet of balcony space that opens to the amphitheater.

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That change increased the lodge's capacity from 180 to 260 persons.

The lodge design features a front drop-off entry, a lobby and a coatroom. The capacity of the restrooms was doubled, and there was an increase in storage for tables and chairs.

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A downstairs area that is only accessible from the outside could feature additional restrooms and a concession area.

To save money, the amount of stone on the outside was reduced and replaced with cedar. “A lot of wood to give it that lodge character," Blaes said.

The lower area of the park, Coyne said, was very passive and respected the area's ecology. The upper area, where the lodge will be located, is more active and recreational.

In addition to the lodge, the upper area includes an amphitheater that will seat 300 to 400 people.

The parking lot includes 175 parking stalls.

Coyne said that the development could be accomplished in “bite-size chunks,” with the first phase consisting of the lodge, the driveways and parking, trails, and a service/maintenance area. Phase One would cost $6.8 million of the $14.8 million total project cost.


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