White Lake project still in infancy

Sparta - The White Lake recreation project is still in its early stages of development, meaning that the township engineer and recreation design firms are reviewing the plan to determine the costs involved with construction. “Right now we are just developing the scope of services,” said Virginia Mohr, parks and recreation director. “Once that is received we can review it, and the council, regarding the spacing, and decide what we can go ahead with and fund for the future.” At this point, there are no preliminary costs that have been suggested or determined, she said. “This project would be done over a few years,” said Henry Underhill, township administrator. “I think the council wants to be conservative on this, and is not going to spend much money all at once.” He said the town does not have a grant to help with the costs of construction at this time. Mayor Manny Goldberg said the council would move in a cautious direction in the phases of development, taking on what is most feasible for the town budget, although, he said, he feels the project will benefit the community. “We have to listen to the people,” he said. “We do want to see some kind of development in White Lake.” He said there would be priorities given to what the town currently lacks, such as soccer and lacrosse fields. Mohr said the design calls for basketball courts, youth and adult sports fields with both artificial and natural turf, a 10-foot wide walking path along the perimeter of the complex, picnic tables, trails that lead to boating and fishing areas, and courts for other sporting activities. “I don’t think there is anything that can be cut out,” said Goldberg. “It’s got the beach. Other than that, if you ask any of the sports groups, we never have enough for sports.” He said he would look to the sporting leagues within the town to help raise funds for the development of the lakes recreation project. “In the past, like with Ungerman Field, there are various groups that support various sports activities,” he said. “We would like to see some help financially from these groups to help support the taxpayers.” Representatives from the town’s Little League football and baseball programs were unable to return phone calls in time for this article’s deadline. Shauna Stanley, president of the Sparta soccer club, was shown the preliminary plans, as were other representatives of the club. Stanley said: ”What we saw in those plans could certainly benefit SSC, as well as other sports and everyone in Sparta. The plans were not just for sports fields, but also included things like walking trails and picnic areas. Currently SSC has not been approached concerning fundraising for the project. In fact, we have not been involved in any discussion about funding for the project. We did like the plans that we saw and certainly hope that the project can happen, and hope that the town will be supportive of the project.” However, Ernie Reigstad, director of the Police Athletic League, which hosts the town’s youth basketball program, said they would like to see more courts erected in the downtown area instead of White Lake. “Overall, we are in support of anything that benefits the youth and the town,” he said. “Not just for traditional sports, but for non-traditional sports and activities. Now, specifically to the White Lake, obviously since we run a basketball program, it’s not the place to put basketball courts.” He said the PAL has suggested courts to be built at Station Park and Ungerman Field, due to requests from parents and coaches in the basketball program.