Authority members agreed to fund up to $32,000 for electrical hookups and $27,500 toward roof repairs at the bath house.
City manager David Bullard said the electric hookups would help draw more people to camp at the lake and, in turn, bring more revenue to the town. Those hookups would initially be placed just to the east of the caretaker’s building. It would be the start of a long-range project that could eventually see camping sites spread throughout the park offering both tent and camping trailer spaces. He pointed out that a large metal tank could be placed at the park to be used as a camper waste dump site.He presented a bid from Coy Construction in Okemah for $27,500 to remove the rusting and worn-out corrugated tin roofing at the bathhouse and replace it with new shingles. That work would include new decking on the roof, ice and rain guards, as well as replacing plank decking. A five year warranty is included in the package.
“Every week I have several calls asking about camping sites at Nichols,” said HEDA secretary Genny Moody. “I have to tell them it is primitive camping only with no electric or water.”
Bullard also discussed the plans for construction of a new water tower on the hill next to Warren Road overlooking the high school complex.
He said that water storage facility would replace an old water tank on the hill that has been unused for the past three years. It would increase water pressure for the hospital as well as residents in that area and help eliminate water supply disruptions for homes on the hill. Currently they are being served by the 50,000 gallon elevated water tower on North Third.
Bullard said work is underway getting the final easements for the sewer line that will serve the Casey’s store to be built west of town.
Authority members are reviewing a contract that would form a partnership between HEDA and the Okmulgee Area Development Corporation (OADC). No agreement was reached with authority members to bring back their ideas at the May meeting.
