Lake Naconiche is currently filling with water, but the Naconiche Parks Board hit another setback Thursday that could delay the park's opening yet again.
Development of the 35-acre park that surrounds the 700-acre man-made lake has been split into three phases. The first phase, which included lake amenities such as a boat ramp, dive platform and fishing pier, was completed about a year ago. But the second phase of construction — a road leading into the park, three parking lots, and water and utilities — could be delayed by as long as four months.
The parks board recently decided to complete Phase 2 construction with county manpower and equipment from the road and bridge department, but that idea was later tabled due to budgetary constraints. The county and the federal government are splitting the cost of the park's construction, and there is currently around $1.76 million left in the joint fund. However, the county can only use federal money if park projects meet federal guidelines. That means the county could save money by doing the projects with internal manpower, but the county would be responsible for all costs unless the construction process meets federal standards.
"If we build it ourselves, we could save money and build a lesser quality road. But even if we were to build it ourselves at half the price (of federal estimates), we have to pay for all of it," parks board Chairman Jimmy Mize said. "Or we can build a better quality road to federal standards and we can pay half of the whole project. So it would be the same price."
The bidding process will take approximately four months, Mize said, and that's only if the parks board receives acceptable bids. If the bids come back too high, the board will then need to revise their proposal, such as taking out the asphalt from the road, and seek new bids. That would take another four months. If the parks board accepts a bid from the first round of proposals, construction would be complete sometime next spring. The park could be ready for visitors by the end of next summer, Mize said.
Previous plans for Phase 2 construction have been scaled down significantly. Original Phase 2 plans included room for an office building, a dry fire hydrant, and a wrought-iron fence surrounding a Caddo mound. In order to save money, the building has been put on hold, and the Caddo remains will be moved to a cemetery in the city, according to County Land Agent George Perry Campbell. Phase 3, which includes pavilions and bathrooms, can only be completed at this point if there is money left over from Phase 2 construction, Mize said, though he added Lake Naconiche construction is a building process and additional projects could be completed later.
