Lions Park improvements expected to finish soon

The long-awaited Lions Park restoration project should be completed by early September.But city officials and construction workers are confident the wave of improvements could be finished a month earlier than anticipated.A mild winter greatly helped, spurring construction work and placing park upgrades on the fast track."By the first of August the splash pad will be operable ... and the basketball courts will be done," said Andy Muntis, the construction manager for Shelby-based Kelstin Construction assigned to upgrade Lions Park. The city is behind on its promise to install a splash pad at the park and make other improvements. The splash pad and other park upgrades were supposed to be completed and opened in late 2011, but they were delayed until summer because of bidding and infrastructure issues.For more on this story and an update on the pile of rock in the park's parking lot, pick up a copy of Friday's Register. Park improvementsLions Park is supposed to get a long-delayed facelift. Slated for completion by September are new and upgraded amenities, including:• Two half-court basketball courts• Two new playground areas with climbing obstacles• A shelter area with a new restroom• A splash padLonger-term improvements could include:• A walking path bordering the perimeter of the area• An ice rink• Handicap-accessible pathways leading to the water