Sand Springs City Council approves General Obligation Bond vote for November

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Sand Springs Police Chief Mike Carter discusses the department's need for updated dispatch software at a Monday night City Council meeting. (Photo: Emigh).

The Sand Springs City Council unanimously approved a series of bond propositions at Monday night’s regular monthly meeting. The five propositions will appear on the ballot November 14th at the same time as the Senate District 37 special election. Each proposition will pass or fail on its own, and will require a simple majority of 50% plus one vote.

Proposition One totals $3.505 million for the purpose of improving street conditions and constructing new roadways. “The City has always made an effort to make streets and roadways here in Sand Springs a priority,” said City Manager Elizabeth Gray. $1.445 million will be used for street overlays and repairs, while $2.06 million will go to a new roadway over the levee separating Case Community Park from the Sheffield Crossing commercial development.

Proposition Two totals $2.27 million for the purpose of purchasing new public safety equipment and software. The money will be used to replace a fifteen-year-old Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software for the Sand Springs Police Department, as well as the Records Management System. A new ladder truck will also be purchased for the Sand Springs Fire Department. The new unit will be able to navigate tighter spaces and will have a ladder approximately 30 feet longer than the current unit.

Proposition Three totals $3.765 million for the purposes of beautifying, renovating, and generally improving public parks, lands, recreational facilities, etc. $592,250 will go to paving the parking lot at the Jerry Adair Baseball Complex inside Case Community Park. $203,000 will go to Museum building improvements, $420,500 will go to park improvements, $231,750 will go to neighborhood trail improvements, $2.06 million will go to improvements at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge, and $257,500 will go towards improvements at the Keystone Ancient Forest. KAF improvements will include a watch tower and a new visitor’s center.

Proposition Four totals $2.625 million for the purpose of improving municipal facilities and assets. $412,000 will go to purchasing a vacuum truck, $1.9055 million will go to City-wide beautification and landscaping, and $307,500 will go to City-wide computer hardware and software upgrades. According to City officials, the current vacuum truck is utilized daily and is one of the most heavily used piece of equipment in the city.

Part of the beautification and landscaping funds will go to the City Water Treatment facility on the corner of Morrow Road and Wilson Avenue. “We want to make sure that we don’t have an eyesore that people can see anymore,” said Gray. "The water tower is coming down, it’s already funded. The water treatment facility isn’t going to be moved, it’s just too expensive. We want to make sure that our city looks as good as it can.”

Proposition Five totals $6.180 million will go to acquisition, improvement, and development of lands for future economic development projects. “Our citizens still have wants that they want to see locally, and we want to see that happen,” said Police Chief Mike Carter. “Look no further than Walmart and Webco. Those would not have happened if the City didn’t have those resources.”

Under the proposal, the city millage rate will be kept to $13 per $1,000 of property value. According to City officials, the most Sand Springs citizens have ever paid was $13.5. “Even when we go to 13 mills, our millage rate will be below Bixby, Jenks, Sapulpa, Broken Arrow, and Tulsa,” said Councilman Phil Nollan. “It was intentional,” added Mayor Mike Burdge. 

In other news:

Council approved a renewal of their ten-year sales tax rebate agreement with Reasor’s, LLC. The 1% agreement caps at $2 million and is currently at $1.022 million after five years.

Council approved a $251,708 annual subsidy of EMSA services.

Council approved a contract of up to $190,000 with Dewberry Architects for expenses relating to the new Public Safety Facility.

Council approved the closure of the Southern half of Case Community Park from Sunday, September 3rd through Monday, September 4th. The park will serve as the launching point for the Great Raft Race that Monday. The park will also be closed to normal operations on September 9th and 10th due to the Riverfest Grand Opening event. 

Council approved a transfer of $20,000 for a sidewalk improvement project in Concord Estates.

Council approved an ordinance rezoning the formerly-planned Arms Estates housing addition from RS-2 to RS-3. Arms Estates was originally planned in 1958 but ceased development after a single home. The property is located between East 31st Place and East 32nd Place off South 113th West Avenue.

Alan Betchan of AAB Engineering plans on developing a twelve-lot subdivision named Rivercrest. The new zoning allows the lots to be as little as 60 feet wide, as opposed to 75 feet minimum under RS-2. The lots are expected to be about 70 feet wide and 9,000 square feet. The addition will include single-story homes approximately 1800 square feet, and two-story homes approximately 2200 square feet. They are expected to range from $200,000 to $300,000.

Council voted to create an exemption from the Sand Springs Parks Fee for new buildings on lots that have been previously developed as residential.

Council voted to approve current plans for a hardened room (storm shelter) to be constructed at the Case Community Center. Preliminary designs have been drafted by Studio 45 for a 40x14 room with an occupancy load of 97, able to withstand 250 mph winds. “This is simply a place for occupants of the building, this is not a community shelter” said Parks Director Grant Gerondale. The project will go to bid this fall.

Council awarded a $715,710 contract to Circle P Welding, Inc. for the replacement of the South McKinley Hills Water Storage Tank.

Councilman Brian Jackson announced the acquisition of several surplus books from the National Library of Congress that have been gifted to Sand Springs Public Schools.

The Sand Springs Museum Association will hold an annual meeting on August 5th that is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Connie Fisher, a museum volunteer and nationally acclaimed storyteller, will provide entertainment.

Great Raft Race adds Sand Sculpture Contest, rental crafts, and School Challenge

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The Great Tulsa Raft Race hosted a press conference Friday morning to announce four new additions to this year's event.

The Sand Sculpture contest that ran for more than a decade through the 1980s and 1990s will return. The contest reportedly drew a thousand competitors at its peak and was featured on Good Morning America in 1991. World Champion sand sculptor John Gowdy is expected to present a Tulsa-themed piece at the race's finish line and will judge the competition.

Kayaks and inflatable rafts will also be available for rent for the first time through the Raft Race website. Registration for the event ends August 15th for both contestants and renters. In addition to renting a craft for the full race, participants will also be able to rent kayaks at the finish line.

Three weeks prior to the event there will be a pre-party presented by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation at Fuel 66. Full details on that event are yet to be announced.

American Airlines Government Affairs liaison Chase Beasley announced a new STEM Challenge for area schools. The Regional STEM alliance will create a curriculum around raft building, while American Airlines Engineers will partner with KKT Architects to assist ten schools in the construction of their vessel. American Airlines will provide the entry fee for the student teams, but raft materials will not be provided. 

Raft Race officials will aim to select a diverse group of schools, including Tulsa Public Schools, Sand Springs, and other neighboring districts. Student teams must include five to ten participants including one adult. All students must be 12 years or older. 

The Tulsa tradition ran from 1973 to 1991 before being resurrected in 2015. The Labor Day race will launch in Case Community Park in Sand Springs and will end at the River West Festival Park in Tulsa.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum spoke at the event and announced his intentions to participate in the race. "We're doing so much right now to make this revitalized as the defining natural asset that we have here in Tulsa...For generations people were able to utilize the Arkansas River as a point of recreation, and last year the citizens overwhelmingly said 'we want that again.'"

"This is one day out of 365 that we get to use the river for recreation. Think about what it's going to be like here in a few years when you can use it any day of the year," said Bynum.

The official T-shirt for the event was also announced. The mermaid design will be the official shirt received in the registration package, but the runner-up design will also be available for purchase.

Participants can register for the race and find more information at www.tulsaraftrace.com.

Editorial: River City Park doesn't need a renovation

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It's about fifteen till noon with a heat index of 89 degrees and a steady breeze to combat the humidity. I'm on my weekly trek through River City Park, taking photos of the construction progress, and I'm reminded that although all the hype is around the new projects in the park, the existing features are already worth the trip.

I parked by the Jerry Adair Baseball Complex, named for one of Sand Springs's greatest athletes, and rebuilt just a few years ago thanks to countless community donations and volunteer hours after a devastating tornado.

It is the West Side Alliance 3V3 tournament weekend so the soccer fields are packed. This is normal for Sand Springs. The WSA is one of the largest and most active soccer programs in the state.

The shaved ice banners are flying and the splash pad is open. A massive contribution from the Rotary Club and the nonprofit concession stand ran by WSA volunteers offer one of the best places in Sand Springs for kids to cool down and hang out.

Once you pass the hubbub of the Inez Kirk Soccer Complex, the park begins to quiet down.

The River City Trail winds along the river and with a little TLC along the shoreline, the park could easily be the premier viewing destination of the Great Raft Race 

I'm passing The Great Lawn and the new playground facilities now. For now the great lawn is a great mess, but soon enough it'll be a beautiful site to host concerts, festivals, and other community gatherings.

I stop at the playground to snap some pics and do a little playing of my own. It has been a year since Pokémon Go debuted, but it has managed to maintain its appeal for those of us who spent our childhood playing the games, collecting the cards, and watching the show. I battle the Gym located in the playground, then continue walking and hatching Pokémon eggs.

The restrooms are being updated and modern art is littered along the perimeter of the lawn. A minuteman stands to watch over the grounds, the mascot of Sand Springs. The amphitheater is exciting. I look forward to many great concerts here.

Once you pass the great lawn there's a boat ramp to the rive. The dam is open and the river is running. Not as uncommon as it used to be, but still a treat compared to the sandbars we're so used to. 

Volleyball courts have been here for ages, the Horseshoe pits have been relocated, and a Thunder Cares Basketball Court is being built.

I'm getting into the back of the park now. The Will Ramsey Softball Complex, the rodeo arena, the BMX track, and the disc golf course. Round Up Club volunteers are currently painting the facility in hopes of reversing a City Council decision to demolish it at the end of the season. The new disc golf course is nice. I've played it a couple of times now. 

I have reached the end of the park where it terminates beneath the Arkansas River bridge. The trail goes up the levee and meets Katy Trail allowing you to go into Prattville or back to Tulsa. The trail system will take you all the way to the new Gathering Place and beyond, though I don't see why anyone in Sand Springs would need to go that far when we have such a beautiful park right here.

Though the new additions are welcome, and the park has always had its flaws, the bones of the park will be the same in September as they were a year ago. Packed soccer, baseball, and softball fields. Tulsa's only BMX track, a uniquely wooded disc golf course, nearly a mile of river shore, playgrounds, a splash pad, and a well-paved and shaded trail. 

The $6 million renovation will bring improvements and additions to Sand Springs's flagship park, but a simple Saturday morning stroll more than shows that River City Park doesn't need a renovation to be one of Sand Springs's greatest assets.

City of Sand Springs accepts $2 million donation, sets date for upcoming bond election

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Nine-time State Champion Cheyenne Walden receives the "Heart of the City" award at Monday night's City Council Meeting.

The Sand Springs City Council held a regular meeting Monday night at the City Municipal Building. 

Mayor Mike Burdge presented recent Charles Page High School graduate Cheyenne Walden with a Mayoral Proclamation and the first-ever Heart of the City award for her accomplishments in competitive running. She is the most decorated athlete in school history and will run for Oklahoma State University in the fall.

SEE RELATED: Cheyenne Walden receives "Heart of the City" award from Mayor Mike Burdge

The City formally accepted a $2 million check from Mike and Pat Case. The Cases pledged the donation last year to help with the River City Park renovation. The park will be renamed Case Community Park at its grand re-opening this fall.

Click HERE to view recent photos of the park construction.

Human Resources Director Amy Fairchild gave a brief educational presentation regarding her department. According to Fairchild, the City has 199 full-time, thirteen part-time, five seasonal and one contractual employee. There are currently seven vacant positions, including three in the police department.

Click HERE to view open positions in the City of Sand Springs.

The Council unanimously approved the use of $99,474.00 to purchase four police pursuit units. The department will purchase two Ford Police Interceptor SUVs and two Dodge Chargers.

Council unanimously voted to approve the Parks Advisory Board's recommendation to terminate the Use Agreement with the Sand Springs Round Up Club. They also declared the rodeo grounds as surplus, allowing them to auction off valuables and demolish what's left.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Round Up Club petition hopes to reverse eviction from City park

Council unanimously approved a Deed of Dedication by the Sand Springs Home, officially dedicating South Lincoln Avenue as a public road. The City has been maintaining the road for a number of years under the assumption that it was a public road.

Council approved a new one-year contract with the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority (MTTA) in the amount of $49,368. 

Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for a complete update to the City Comprehensive Plan. The plan has not been updated since 2002.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs approves new comprehensive plan for next fifteen years

Council unanimously approved the renaming of two park sites. The City Garden Park will be renamed the Inez Kirk Garden Park in honor of former City Manager Inez Kirk. The Inez Kirk Soccer Complex will also be renamed. City Officials are waiting to announce the new name pending the notification of the namesake's family.

Council unanimous approved a resolution adopting the 2017 Sand Springs Police Department Policing Plan.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs adopts new 2017 Policing Plan

Council unanimously approved a resolution creating a new fireworks discharge permit classification. Previously the City only allowed the use of Class 1.3G (large professional) fireworks by organizations, and the use of Class of 1.4G (small consumer) fireworks by private individuals at a residential address. The new permit allows for organizations to hold public fireworks shows with 1.4G fireworks. The Class 1.4G individual use permit is $20, the Class 1.4G entity use permit is $40, and the Class 1.3G use permit is $100.

Council approved November 14, 2017 as the date for the 2017 General Obligation Bond election. The State of Oklahoma is already holding a Special Election that date to fill legislative vacancies.

SEE RELATED: City Council prepares for upcoming bond election, discusses new roads and economic incentives

The Sand Springs Municipal Authority met immediately following the Council meeting and approved the use of $58,770 to purchase a Ford F550 pickup for use in the Water Maintenance & Operations department.

Several citizens were appointed to various advisory boards. All positions are three-year terms with the exception of the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board, which is a one-year term.

  • Nancy Riley was reappointed to the Board of Adjustment by unanimous vote.
  • Troy Cox was reappointed to the Development Authority by unanimous vote.
  • Joe Shelton was reappointed to the Planning Commission by unanimous vote.
  • Jason Mikles was reappointed to the Planning Commission by unanimous vote.
  • Mary Eubanks was appointed to the Economic Development Authority by unanimous vote.
  • Ronald G. Cloud was appointed to the Parks Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
  • Elizabeth Gray was appointed as an alternate to the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board by unanimous vote.
  • Dr. William Tom Campbell, Jr. was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
  • Robert J. Flennor was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
  • Dr. Mark Manahan was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.

Sand Springs Round Up Club petition hopes to reverse eviction from City park

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The Sand Springs City Council moved forward Monday night with a plan to evict the Sand Springs Round Up Club (SSRUC) from River City Park and to demolish the rodeo arena. Nearly two dozen individuals from the SSRUC turned out to observe the regular meeting. Two spoke in defense of the organization, but the Council voted unanimously to confirm a unanimous recommendation from the Parks Advisory Board.

In a staff report presented to the Council, the Parks Department reported that “the situation has eroded at the Sand Springs Round Up Club’s (rodeo) facility to a point where they are no longer viable…with near record high use in the park…the time has come to dedicate the approximate 3 acres of space to future ‘higher and best use.’ Additionally, the City can no longer support the expenditure of public (taxpayer) dollars to support the club’s activities. In the short term, mixed use, multipurpose sports fields are planned there.”

Richard House, president of the club since January, spoke in protest of the decision. “We’re working, we’re trying to grow this club. This is a partnership. This is a group that’s been around for 71 years…we have to work with the City and with the Park’s leadership. The club is financially successful. We’re not insecure, we’re a viable club. We have 28 events on our schedule. We were busy driving that membership, creating new events, driving more participation.”

House and City leaders were at odds on almost all facts of the situation. Mayor Mike Burdge objected to the age of the organization, its level of participation, the state of the grounds, and the amount of time that the organization has been on a downturn.

According to the staff report, “At the October 2016 meeting of the Parks Advisory Board (PAB), all clubs provided reports on their activities. Concerns were raised about the SSRUC’s lack of events, attendance and maintenance. They were asked to ‘step it up.’ At the April 4, 2017 PAB meeting…the PAB moved to allow the club approximately 90 additional days (including a big rodeo event on Memorial Day) to show good numbers, statistics, improve maintenance and the overall look of the grounds and more.”

House stated that the organization was given only 60 days, not 90, and that they nearly doubled their membership during that period. Mayor Burdge said that the problems with the club have been going on for years.

According to House, “the Use Agreement specifically states that the City will maintain the safety of the facility. That stopped happening a year ago.” He also alleged that Parks Director Grant Gerondale inspected the bleachers just a half hour before the Andy Downs Memorial Day Rodeo, during which a spectator partially fell through a rotten board in the stands. Gerondale denied performing any sort of inspection and said he was only there for a few minutes to photograph the crowd. He stated that it is the responsibility of the SSRUC to inform the Parks Department of any maintenance needs.

Section 4 of the Use Agreement states that “The City shall maintain grounds to ensure public safety.” It also says that the SSRUC “shall be responsible for any damages occurring to City property that are a result of USER volunteers, coaches, players, board members, or by the general public during USER events. “ According to City finance records, the bleachers are 35 years old and are fully depreciated.

House also claimed that Gerondale’s tally of 121 attendees was taken half an hour prior to the rodeo and did not accurately reflect on the number who showed up right at event time.

The PAB met on June 5, 2017 and voted 7-0-0 in favor of terminating the agreement. The City Council also voted 7-0-0 in favor of approving the request by the PAB. The SSRUC will be given till October 31 to finish their season, then will have until December 31 to remove all of their property from the facility. Council also approved up to $10,000 to demolish the facility if needed.

Despite the unanimous vote, the SSRUC has begun circulating a petition on change.org to save the arena. Organized by Jared Brown, the petition has garnered 637 supporters at press time with a goal of 1,000.

“Sand Springs has a heritage of rodeos in this arena and there are plenty of citizens that would like to see that tradition continue,” states the petition. “I am hoping that this petition will help communicate how important it is to the people of Sand Springs.”

Click here to view the petition.

Sand Springs City Council to vote on removing Round Up Club from River City Parks

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The Sand Springs City Council will meet in a regular monthly meeting Monday night at 7:00 p.m. in the City Municipal Building. Immediately following the Council meeting, the Sand Springs Municipal Authority will meet in the same room. Council and Municipal meetings are open to public attendance and commentary.

One item on the Council's Consent Agenda is a recommendation from the Parks Advisory Board to terminate a Use Agreement with the Sand Springs Round Up Club (RUC).

The RUC is a nonprofit organization originally founded northwest of Sand Springs on Shell Creek Road in 1946. It was relocated to River City in 1971 during the administration of City Manager Royce Hunter.

According to the staff report filed with the City Council agenda, "the situation has eroded at the Sand Springs Round Up Club's (rodeo) facility to a point where they are no longer viable." 

"At the October 2016 meeting of the Park's Advisory Board (PAB), all clubs provided reports on their activities. Concerns were raised about the SSRUC's lack of events, attendance, and maintenance. They were asked to 'step it up.'"

"At the April 4, 2017 PAB meeting staff requested a notice to terminate the Use Agreement with the SSRUC. The PAB moved to allow the club approximately 90 additional days (including a big rodeo event on Memorial Day) to show good numbers; statistics, improve maintenance and the overall look of the grounds and more."

"The Memorial Weekend (Andy Downs) rodeo event was uneventful, with 121 counted attendees in the stands and a mere dozen more in the arena."

The Parks Board cited the growing success of other park tenants, most notably the West Side Alliance (WSA) and Sand Springs Soccer Club (SSSC). The annual WSA Cup regularly packs out both River City Parks and the West Bank Sports Complex in Tulsa.

"With near record high use in the park; with WSA Soccer Cup performing at the highest level to date and with requests by SSYFootball leaders and more for additional space the time has come to dedicate the approximate 3 acres of space to future 'higher and best use.' Additionally, the City can no longer support the expenditure of public (taxpayer) dollars to support the club's activities. In the short term, mixed use, multipurpose sports fields are planned there."

The Parks Board voted unanimously to recommend terminating the Use Agreement Contract no later than October 31, 2017. City Council will make the final decision Monday evening.

If the Use Agreement Contract is terminated, the RUC will have to remove all of their property from the facility and the City-owned property will be declared as surplus. Declaring the property as surplus will allow the City to demolish the the facility and auction off any valuable materials.

Other items on the agenda include:

  • Presentation of Mayoral Proclamation to Cheyenne Walden, recognizing her unprecedented success as a Charles Page High School Cross Country runner.
  • Acceptance of a $2 million check from Mike and Pat Case to be applied to the River City Park Improvements Project.
  • Purchase of four Police Pursuit Units for $99,474.00.
  • Appointments to various city boards and commissions.
  • Approval of a complete update to the City Comprehensive Plan.
  • Renaming of City Garden Park as Inez Kirk Garden Park.
  • Renaming of Inez Kirk Soccer Complex as the Roger S. Bush Soccer Complex.
  • Adopting the 2017 Sand Springs Policing Plan.
  • Approval of November 14, 2017 as the election date for the 2017 General Obligation Bond election.

West Side Alliance Soccer Club forms new league, Oklahoma Premiere Club

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The following press release was jointly issued by West Side Alliance Soccer Club and the newly formed Oklahoma Premiere Club. The West Side Alliance is based in Sand Springs and operates out of the River City Parks Inez Kirk Soccer Complex in Sand Springs and the Westbank Soccer Complex in West Tulsa. It is the competitive branch of the Sand Springs Soccer Club.

SEE RELATED: WSA Cup draws thousands to Sand Springs: Presented by Harper's Hut River City

US Club Soccer has announced it will sanction a statewide u11-u19 competitive league, including postseason traditional state tournament play in the state of Oklahoma, beginning in the Fall 2017 season. This landmark initiative for Oklahoma soccer will leverage US Club Soccer’s programming on behalf of member clubs in the State of Oklahoma.

"We're excited to welcome Oklahoma Premiere Clubs to US Club Soccer," said John Borozzi, US Club Soccer Vice President. "These club's commitment to their players, as well as growth opportunities for coaches and referees, aligns with US Club Soccer's mission and Player's First Philosophy."

Five of Oklahoma’s top seven clubs by membership size, facilities, and state and regional level accolades are making a full commitment to participation in this innovative new platform. Northeast Oklahoma FC (NEOFC), Oklahoma Celtic, South Lakes Cosmos, TSC Hurricane, and West Side Alliance S.C. (WSA), have each committed to Oklahoma Premier Clubs as the primary leaguing platform for their competitive membership moving forward.  These five clubs represent a major portion of the competitive soccer membership population in Oklahoma soccer today, and will bring several decades of consistent, experienced, and innovative leadership to the forefront in leading this new endeavor. 

OPC will have a player-centric focus while collaborating and investing in coach and referee development. Each OPC member will work together to raise standards that improve the player experience so that each player has the opportunity to reach their full potential and enjoy the game more.

“TSC Hurricane is extremely excited to be part of the unification of these leading clubs in raising the standards for youth soccer in Oklahoma. OPC is a game changer. Embracing Diversity is one of OPC’s core values and one of the strengths of our team is that each of our clubs bring diverse viewpoints and ideas while also sharing a common philosophy, mission and resources. We fully understand that as a leading club in Oklahoma, we have a responsibility to our players, coaches and members to provide the most effective and quality competitive platform possible. The quality of the programming has a direct impact on the development and experience of all our players, coaches, partners and members. We are excited to be working side-by-side with all of the OPC clubs to lead the direction of player development, exposure and player path opportunities across Oklahoma. By working together as a team, the potential for what the OPC can achieve is limitless," says TSC Hurricane Executive Director Jim Tindell.

The Oklahoma Premier Clubs will join the US Club Soccer circuit of recognized and qualified statewide leagues by USCS. OPC has been deemed immediately eligible for the US Club National Cup Playoffs. The State Cup Champion from OPC competition will qualify for the US Club National Cup Championships. 

In addition Oklahoma Premier Clubs will include a Regional League platform through US Club’s National Premier League (NPL). The Red River Premier League will launch in the Fall of 2017, and will host top teams from each club in OPC, and will be joined by a conference of clubs from North Texas, Kansas and Arkansas, providing reasonable, economical and logical travel for a regional league platform. 

“Oklahoma Celtic is excited about being a part of the Oklahoma Premier Clubs. We believe the clubs already involved in this league share a similar vision for player development and know this will be a fantastic opportunity to create the best environment for our players and teams to grow. We feel US Club is in the forefront of player development and joining them will give our club great benefit through its multiple player and coach identification and development programs," says Oklahoma Celtic Director Don Rother.

NEOFC Executive Director, Alex Miranda reports, “NEOFC is proud to usher in this historic change for soccer in Oklahoma. Our club believes in the OPC’s collaborative approach as the guiding principle for developing a league platform, which provides the best player experience at all developmental levels. Through a vast range of programs, we believe OPC offers the most innovative developmental opportunities for players, coaches, and game officials alike. OPC’s focus and determination in establishing standards of excellence for its member clubs, directly aligns with our club’s vision of offering the best overall experience for families, players, and coaches. We look forward to working with all OPC clubs in this exceptional player-centric environment."

OPC clubs are joining forces to leverage the power of their combined resources to transform the landscape for all players in Oklahoma centered on player, coach and referee development while creating multiple player pathway opportunities whether it be from club-to-college, club-to-National Team or club-to-professional. OPC programming will also bring the clubs more closely in alignment with US Soccer Development Academy and ECNL standards and recommendations.

OPC member benefits will include access to US Club Soccer’s ID2/PDP programming, an Olympic Development Program that helps identify players for national pool selection. This innovative concept will expose every player of the OPC to weekly evaluation opportunities through league play, and in-house recommendation avenues, bringing a new level of ongoing exposure to the player.              

OPC member benefits will extend to coach symposiums for coach education, the development of a coach network, training standards, sharing best practices, referee development, US Club Soccer’s Player’s First initiatives for safety and health of players, and a streamlined league management process provided by the experts at Prime Time Sports. Prime Time Sports has over 80 years of event management experience including select soccer leagues in the Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex. Their professional league management will reduce the workload on the clubs, allowing clubs to focus on their intended “player-centric” models. Additionally the league website services will be provided by Blue Star Sports the PTS parent company. Blue Star Sports is a leading provider of sports management software and payment solutions.

“The leadership from the OPC clubs have a great vision for soccer development in the region and we at Prime Time Sports and Blue Star Sports are pleased to partner with their league to build an even stronger platform,” reports Bandon Hollmann, COO at Prime Time Sports a Blue Star Sports company. 

OPC league scheduling will include proper periodization that is influenced by club technical directors.  This means that the league schedule will account for rest and recovery periods, as well as proper game to training session ratios for a consistent and annualized calendar for the player as well as the families who support the player. Through their home club recreational bases, OPC member clubs will also have control of nearly every major club-based complex in the state while also having access to independent complexes. Multi-million dollar investments are also currently underway or planned at the majority of the OPC complexes.

“South Lakes Soccer Club is excited about the new Oklahoma Premier Clubs announcement with US Club Soccer. Having soccer minded individuals in decision making roles is a "game changer". The OPC leadership will have more knowledge and experience than any other League in Oklahoma's soccer history. The collaboration of clubs and the caliber will be second to none. With having like minded soccer Directors all working together to benefit the players, Oklahoma cannot lose. It has been great working with this group on the creation and launch of the OPC. SLSC looks forward to an exciting future," says South Lakes Director of Coaching Brandon Lawless.

With the participation of five of Oklahoma’s most historic, reputable, and accomplished soccer clubs, the OPC will become the medium for tremendous player development opportunity, and enhanced overall player experience opportunities. OPC will collectively have the largest and most credentialed coaching staff network in the state. This innovative new platform is not only about the expanded opportunities it brings to elite players, but it is intended for ALL players no matter what experience level, age or background. The combination of size, resources, network, experience and diversity of ideas that each club brings is powerful and will be unmatched in the state of Oklahoma. 

“WSA is not only excited, but enthused to be a part of this endeavor on behalf of Oklahoma soccer. We see the opportunity presented by OPC as providing the latitude necessary to properly support and nurture our teams, and ultimately serve our players. The early participating clubs in OPC represent for us a formidable leadership base that we are encouraged to be a part of. We fully understand our responsibility to our players and families and our responsibility as a member of the Oklahoma soccer community, and it is for this reason we are eager to facilitate the OPC vision on behalf of Oklahoma soccer, “ says WSA Executive Director Roger Bush.

OPC membership is open through an application process to interested clubs that meet the criteria established by OPC. OPC forecasted team expenses reflect a small negative delta (less expensive than previous team fees have been). Registration, tryout, team formation, and league start dates will go relatively unchanged. 

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Planning Commission - regular monthly meeting
  • 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive
    • Sand Springs Church of Christ. 4301 S. 113th W. Ave, Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Adjustment - regular monthly meeting was CANCELED
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Baseball - road game
    • Bartlesville High School. 500 S Madison Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006

Tuesday

  • State and Federal Taxes are due
  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Girls' Golf - Union Tournament
    • Lafortune Park. 5501 S. Yale Ave. Tulsa OK 74135
  • 5:00 p.m. CPHS Slow Pitch Softball - road game
    • Union Intermediate High School. 7616 S. Garnett Rd. Tulsa OK 74012
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Baseball - home game
    • Sandite Baseball Complex. 405 W. 55th St. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum Trust Authority - regular monthly meeting
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Girls' Soccer - home game
    • Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Band Booster Club - meeting and elections
    • Charles Page High School. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063
    • Positions up for election: President, Vice President, Secretary, Co-Treasurer, CPHS Representative. Appointed coordinator positions also open.
  • 8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys' Soccer - home game
    • Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063

Wednesday

  • Sand Springs Development Authority - regular monthly meeting

Thursday

  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Boys' Golf - 6A State Preview
    • Karsten Creek Golf Club. 1800 S. Memorial Dr. Stillwater OK 74074
  • 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Guns n' Hoses Community Challenge Blood Drive
  • 4:30 p.m. CPHS Baseball - road game
    • Cascia Hall. 2520 S. Yorktown Ave. Tulsa OK 74114
  • 5:00 p.m. CPHS Slow Pitch Softball - double header road games
    • Jenks High School. 1561 N. Birch St. Jenks OK 74037
  • 5:30 p.m. Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame dinner
    • Ed Dubie Field House. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063

Friday

  • 3:00 p.m. CPHS Choir Trip - Branson "Music in the Park" Choir Contest
  • 3:00 p.m. CPHS Track and Field - Muskogee Track Meet
    • 3200 E. Shawnee Rd. Muskogee OK 74403
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Girls' Soccer - home game
    • CPHS Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys' Soccer - home game
    • CPHS Memorial Stadium. 500 N. Adams Rd. Sand Springs OK 74063

Saturday

  • 9:00 a.m. 28th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival
  • 10:00 a.m. Sand Springs OKUSA Freestyle/Greco-Roman Wrestling Tournament
    • Clyde Boyd Middle School. 305 W. 35th St. Sand Springs OK 74063

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Baseball - Home game
    • 405 W. 55th St. Sand Springs OK 74063

Tuesday

  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Boys' Golf - Bishop Kelley Tournament
    • Lafortune Park Golf Course - 5501 S. Yale Ave, Tulsa OK 74135
  • 4:00 p.m. CPHS Tennis duel
    • Edison High School, 2906 E. 41st St, Tulsa OK 74105
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Baseball - Road game
    • Union High School, 6636 S. Mingo Rd, Tulsa OK 74133
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Girls' Soccer - Home game
    • 500 N. Adams Rd, Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys' Soccer - Home game
    • 500 N. Adams Rd, Sand Springs OK 74063
  • CPHS Slow Pitch Softball - Jenks Festival
    • 1610 N. Birch, Jenks OK 74037
    • 10:00 a.m. vs Broken Arrow
    • 12:30 p.m. vs Southmoore

Wednesday

  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Girls' Golf - Sapulpa Tournament
    • 1200 W. Dewey Ave, Sapulpa OK 74066
  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Tennis duel - Highway 97 Rivalry home game
    • 500 N. Adams Rd, Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 10:30 a.m. Sand Springs City Council Meeting

Thursday

  • 8:00 CPHS Girls' Golf - Del City Tournament
    • Trosper GC, 2301 SE 29th St, Oklahoma City OK 73129
  • 5:00 p.m. CPHS Slow Pitch Softball - Road game
    • Bixby High School, 601 S. Riverview Dr, Bixby, OK 74008
  • 6:30 p.m. Estate Planning Seminar by Monica L. Maple
    • Green Tree Assisted Living, 4402 S. 129th W. Ave. Sand Springs OK 74063
  • 7:30 p.m. CPHS Band Spring Concert
    • Ed Dubie Field House, 500 N. Adams Rd, Sand Springs OK 74063

Friday

  • 2:30 p.m. CPHS Track and Field - Booker T. Washington Track Meet
    • 1514 E. Zion St, Tulsa OK 74106
  • 5:00 p.m. CPHS Baseball - Road game
    • Broken Arrow High School, 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow OK 74012
  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Girls' Soccer - Road game
    • Westmoore High School, 12613 S. Western Ave. Oklahoma City OK 73170
  • 8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys' Soccer - Road game
    • Westmoore High School, 12613 S. Western Ave. Oklahoma City OK 73170

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. Case Community Park River Run
  • 8:00 a.m. CPHS Girls' Golf - Frontier Valley Conference Tournament
    • Indian Springs GC, 16006 E. 131st St. S. Broken Arrow OK 74011
  • 10:00 a.m. Maxx Roofing 4th Annual Special Needs Bass Tournament
    • Mannford Lake Prairie View Boat Ramp
  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Prom

WSA Cup draws thousands to Sand Springs: Presented by Harper's Hut River City

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WSA 96G King Finalist Blitz Invitational Tournament

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Quality of Life has become an increasingly important issue in the modern community. Even in years where the State of Oklahoma is dealing with massive revenue shortages, businesses are closing, and citizens are looking for more bang for their buck wherever they can get it, one thing remains clear. People want a higher quality of life.

Join any local Facebook gossip site and you'll see people expressing a desire for more activities, more restaurants, more things to do--especially hangouts for children and teenagers. While the City of Tulsa is currently constructing a $350 million "Gathering Place" along the Arkansas River, just ten miles up the road Sand Springs is building its own gathering place on the river. 

Case Community Park, as the land will officially be dubbed in October, or River City Park, as it is currently known, is home to many quality of life projects for the Sand Springs community. The park is the home of the Sand Springs BMX Association, Sand Springs Little League, the Sand Springs Round Up Club, and more. The largest organization to call the park home is the West Side Alliance (WSA), partnered with the Sand Springs Soccer Club (SSSC).

The SSSC includes programs for 2-4 year olds designed to cultivate familiarity with the ball and build a love of the sport before fundamentals are even introduced.

"Whether it be soccer, baseball, or softball; kids' sports are a quality of life issue for any community," says SSSC President Jeremy Herrington. "It's something that the cities have to be engaged in and supportive of. Not every city can afford to put a huge amount of money towards a program. The City (of Sand Springs) has given us the land grant here and the usage and that's been wonderful. It is then upon us to make it great for the community."

Herrington has been with SSSC for fifteen years, and the program has flourished during his tenure. 

Traditionally, youth athletes play in either recreational sports clubs or competitive sports clubs. Recreational is more laid back. Anyone who signs up gets to play. Games are played close to home, coaches are volunteers, and play is geared more towards learning and having fun than actual winning. In competitive sports the coaches are often paid, the teams travel for diversity in their opposition, and the best players play the most.

SEE RELATED: Local couple brings Harper's Hut to River City Splash Pad

"West Side Alliance and Sand Springs Soccer Club is unique in that we operate as a one-club concept," says Herrington. "We use the licensing and experienced coaches of WSA to drop back and help our youth players learn the fundamentals at a very young age."

"We are reaching out into the schools, reaching out more into the community. It's the ultimate goal of the WSA for more kids to enjoy soccer both in the love of the game and in the fundamental skills of the game. That way once they make a transition to recreational or competitive--they're playing. Our model is unique. We're seeing a greater retention rate of players and kids that truly love soccer."

The club has certainly grown. Between the two programs, the organization boasts more than a thousand kids. Herrington expects it to continue to grow, especially as the new park is unveiled.

In fact, the club has nearly outgrown its facilities. 

The annual WSA Cup tournament was held this past weekend and nearly ten thousand people turned out for the event--though not all were in Sand Springs. The WSA also utilizes the Westbank Soccer Complex. 

The City of Sand Springs made their trolleys available to help with the WSA Cup.

"We didn't know how we were going to make (the WSA Cup) happen at this facility," said Herrington. Then City Manager Elizabeth Grey and Parks Director Grant Gerondale stepped up with the idea of using the City trolleys. "The Parks Department is wonderful. They communicate well. They've been trying to help us at every level. We were looking at having to move to the Mohawk Park Soccer Complex because the tournament was growing so large. 

The trolleys helped with day one, allowing the organization to utilize satellite parking and transport attendees. Unfortunately, for the first time in the organization's 25-year history, the second day of the tournament was cancelled after Saturday night's downpour left only eight fields playable with standing water on a dozen others. They also lost more than half of their parking and were forced to call off the event.

This year's disappointment aside, the organization is excited for the future. Part of the park remodel includes new fields and a paved parking lot for the first time. They already got new restrooms and concessions last year, located next to a state-of-the-art splash pad.

SSSC runs the new concessions stand as a fundraiser for the program, and they've worked hard to create a quality experience for all of the park's users. The stand offers a smattering of food and drink options, anchored around a Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java franchise.

"Harper's Hut has been hugely fundamental in showing us how to run a concession stand, how to set up for birthday parties and events in general," says Herrington. "It allows us to put money back into the fields. We just purchased seven new goals funded through this last season's concession sales. It's huge for the program, it's huge for the kids."

WSA and SSSC are all about the kids.

"Its about seeing kids all the way up through their twenties enjoying the love of the game. In the past, kids would play recreational then they would just drop off if they didn't have the skill-set, the natural talent, or the drive to play competitive. It is a higher level of commitment to play competitive. We were just seeing kids drop off and not play anymore. We wanted to change that from the inside out."

"Club is club. It's a family, it's unity. It's a part of the community. Not every kid is meant to play competitive. We have worked very hard to create an environment where kids at both levels can thrive."

"They go to school with each other, they come here and play with many of their classmates, and they're forming bonds throughout their community. We're seeing a greater flow of recreational players at the high school level, whereas before it was strictly club players."

"It's all part of progress in the making," says Herrington. "When you take a community that doesn't have programs like these, it's like a ghost town. There's nothing for the kids to do. There's nothing for them to interact with."

For more information on the WSA and SSSC, visit http://www.wsasoccer.org

City Council commissions new sidewalks, murals, vacant property acquisition

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The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening and handed out a series of mayoral proclamations recognizing the Charles Page High School Wrestling Team for their State Championship wins this season.

The City of Sand Springs was recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Health Center for the Advancement of Wellness for achieving the certified healthy designation of "Excellence." They were also awarded the 2017 State Historic Preservation Officer's Citation of Merit for the exterior rehabilitation of Page Memorial Library, which now houses the Sand Springs Historical and Cultural Museum. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council recognizes Sandite Wrestling for State Championship wins

Parks Director Grant Gerondale provided a presentation on ongoing Parks Department projects. The department has been executing controlled burns at the Keystone Ancient Forest over the past months to keep overgrowth under control. They are also establishing a controlled burn line and trail that will be approximately three miles long when complete. According to Gerondale, the forest receives approximately 3,500 visitors per year.

The River City Park renovation is well under way. The department has planted nearly 200 new trees in the largest re-foresting project in the history of the city. Two new playgrounds have been installed that Gerondale described as "second to nothing in the U.S." The disc golf course is being relocated deeper within the park and is being expanded to a full 18-hole course. There will also be a "Thunder Cares" Court built in the park.

The park is still seeing extensive use in spite of ongoing construction. The Will Ramsey Softball Park and Inez Kirk Soccer Complex both saw more than fifty teams apiece at tournaments this past weekend and the BMX track has seen increased use in the past year. The Jerry Adair Baseball Park and the Soccer Complex are both undergoing expansion with the addition of new fields. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Town Development History

Council unanimously approved the transfer of $51,578 from the ODOC Home Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund. The ODOC Home Fund was part of a federal program established in the 1990s to provide low-interest loans to elderly residents for home repairs. That program has long since been defunct and the funds have sat dormant for more than a decade. The money will now be used to acquire and combine vacant properties where dilapidated houses once stood in older neighborhoods. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Fire Station #2 to receive $1.5 million new facility

Council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the use of Community Development Block Grant funding for construction of a sidewalk on the south side of 10th Street between Adams Road and Ray Brown Park.

Council unanimously approved an agreement between the City and the Sand Springs Public School District authorizing the use of $47,862.00 for the use of enhanced security systems, including video camera installation. 

Council unanimously approved the use of $1,500,000 to construct a new building to replace Fire Station #2 in Prattville. The current building has undergone multiple remodels that have failed to improve upon chronic roof leaks, a history of mold issues, and an overall inadequate design.

This disused mill on old Highway 51 will soon serve as a welcome sign to the City. 

Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the execution of several projects, including the commissioning of a series of murals around the community. One location planned to be the recipient of a beautification project is the abandoned silo on the property of Riverview RV Park on old Highway 51 in Prattville. 

Sand Springs bans electronic-cigarettes on City property, approves purchase agreement with OmniTRAX

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council unanimously voted Monday evening to ban the use of electronic cigarettes on all City property, including public parks. Ordinance No. 1290, presented by City Planner Brad Bates, amends the existing City of Sand Springs Tobacco Free City Properties and Buildings Ordinance to include vapor-based products that have gained popularity in recent year. 

The City of Sand Springs has been a "tobacco-free" city since 2009 in an effort to alleviate public health concerns and promote a healthy public environment. The City qualifies as a Certified Healthy Community and Certified Healthy Business through the State of Oklahoma's Certified Healthy program, entitling it to certain grant funding through the State Health Department. To-date, the City has received $50,000 that have been used toward healthy living and improvement studies. This new amendment is a step toward Gold Level recognition from the Health Department that would qualify the City for an additional $50,000 grant.

In other news, the Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which is made up of items considered to be "routine," including:

  • Approval of Resolution No. 17-07 for the 2017 City Council Election.
    • Mayor Mike Burdge (Ward 3) and Vice-Mayor (Ward 4) will both be up for reelection in 2017. Citizens do not vote for Mayor or Vice-Mayor, but vote only on City Council positions. The Council itself elects a Mayor and Vice-Mayor from within.
    • The filing period will open December 5th, 2016 and will close December 7th, 2016. Candidates must reside within the Ward they are running for election in, and must be at-minimum 25 years of age by May 1st, 2017. If more than two candidates file for an office, a primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 14th, 2017. The general (runoff) election will be held April 4th, 2017. City Council elections are non-partisan. 
  • Approval of a Traffic Enforcement Agreement between the City of Sand Springs and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office for reimbursement of overtime and operating expenses incurred for the grant period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017. 
    • The Sand Springs Police Department will receive a $50,000 grant from OHSO for the purpose of reimbursing overtime and operating expenses resulting from the targeting of impaired and aggressive drivers. It will also allow for a designee to travel to the Lifesavers Conference in Long Beach, California. 
  • Approval of an Emergency Management Performance Agreement between the City of Sand Springs and the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management providing a 50/50 sub-grant portion of funds to develop comprehensive emergency preparedness for all hazards.
    • This is a routine fund-matching grant that the City has taken advantage of for nearly two decades. The City allocates $20,000 for emergency preparedness each year, and FEMA matches with a contribution of $20,000.
  • Acceptance of $20,090 from Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc.
    • This is the final portion of the $70,000 pledge by the Sand Springs Rotary Club for construction of the Rotary Super Splash Pad in River City Parks. 

Following the Consent Agenda, the Council also unanimously passed Resolution No. 17-08, with the purpose of informing Sand Springs citizens of potential impact of State Question 777 on the ability of the City to to regulate land use activities and other potential effects. 

SQ777, also known as the "Oklahoma Right to Farm Amendment," will be on the November 8, 2016 ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. The specific text of the question can be viewed here. Resolution 17-08, drafted by Vice-Mayor John Fothergill, reminds citizens of the role local government plays in regulating land usage and zoning according to the community desires and needs. The full resolution can be read here.

City Council unanimously approved a resolution concerning the location of the future public safety facility for the City. Resolution 17-06 was unanimously passed, authorizing the City to purchase 10 acres at a cost of $1.00 per foot from OmniTRAX. The current planned location of the facility is on the South side of Morrow Road, across the street from the Walmart Supercenter. The transaction will cost the City approximately $435,600. The purchase is not final yet, but the terms of the agreement are not expected to change. 

Stone Villa Second addition.

Council unanimously approved the final plat for the new Stone Villa addition in South Sand Springs. The addition will include 87 lots on 19.8 acres.

In Council Correspondence, Pogue Airport and Airport Supervisor Ken Madison received praise for the quality of the airport and the hospitality of the administration. 

Boy Scout Troop 507 was on hand to observe the City Council meeting and get a taste of local government.

Mike and Pat Case donate $2 million for massive park renovation; Sand Springs breaks ground

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Mike Case gives an address at the Case Community Park groundbreaking ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

City of Sand Springs officials and Parks Department employees gathered together Tuesday morning at the Case Community Center to celebrate a new development in River City Park. The 100-acre park will receive a $6.2 million renovation thanks to Vision 2025 funding and a $2 million donation by Mike and Pat Case of Case & Associates. 

Artist rendering of the new Case Community Park entrance. (Courtesy)

What is currently known as River City Park is already the biggest park in Sand Springs and will soon become one of the nicest in Tulsa County thanks to Vision 2025 surplus funding and the Case family's benevolence. 

Tulsa County approved millions in surplus Vision 2025 sales tax funding for Sand Springs in February of last year and Case & Associates CEO Mike Case pledged an additional $2 million to fully fund the ambitious Sand Springs parks vision. 

Left to Right: Councilman Phil Nolan, Councilman Brian Jackson, Mayor Mike Burdge, Mike Case, Pat Case, Councilwoman Patty Dixon, Vice-Mayor John Fothergill, Councilman Beau Wilson. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

"This is only possible because of generous donors like Mike and Pat Case," said Sand Springs City Councilwoman Patty Dixon. "Even though Mike and Pat now reside in Tulsa, they have always considered Sand Springs home."

"I've always thought Sand Springs was a great place to live. I still do and I think it's getting better and better," said Mike Case. 

Artist rendering of the "Great Lawn" and amphitheater. (Courtesy)

Mayor Mike Burdge discussed the similarities in population and quality of living between Sand Springs and Broken Arrow when he was growing up. "What changed was the attitude of the leadership in the City," said Burdge. "If we can get this park to be a location spot, get stuff going on here every month...the possibilities are unlimited."

The park is already the home of the Sand Springs Soccer Club recreational league, the West Side Alliance competitive soccer league, Sand Springs Little League baseball and softball, the Round Up Club rodeo arena, and the Sand Springs BMX Association. The recent addition of the Rotary Club Super Splash Pad has rounded out what was already a destination park for many in the Sand Springs area. 

Planned layout for Case Community Park. (Courtesy)

The new funding will provide for the demolition of old structures and the construction of a new amphitheater. New sidewalks, signage, landscaping, and a large-scale entrance will add to the looks of the park.

Existing BMX track located in River City Parks. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

New sports facilities include two new youth baseball fields, a new tournament-sized soccer field, and a new half-court basketball court. An existing volleyball court will be renovated along with several horseshoe pits. The soccer fields, which currently have no special entrance, will receive a grand entry, as will the Jerry Adair Baseball Park, which is currently accessible only in a round-about way that requires leaving the park itself and driving down an industrial business road. An existing 18-hole disc golf course will be relocated deeper within the park in the area of the BMX track and Rodeo Arena. 

Accessibility will be a major feature of the new renovations, with drop-off locations throughout the park, new parking and lighting, and new park shelters and restrooms. Park beautification is also a major goal with plans for improved view of the Arkansas River, nearly a dozen custom art pieces laser cut in Corten Steel and illuminated at night, as well as a grassy area being dubbed the "Great Lawn." 

The Great Lawn will host a large outdoor pavilion and special event stage with remodeled restrooms and will be the premier viewing location for the annual Sertoma Fireworks Show, as well as will be the anchor location of the Chillin' and Grillin' Festival. 

Construction is already under way in Case Community Park. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

There will be a new playground constructed near the Rotary Super Splash Pad, which is already home to a large concessions building ran by Sand Springs Soccer Club President Jeremy Herrington. The concessions serves hot food and Harper's Hut Shaved Ice throughout the summer as a fundraiser for youth baseball and soccer. 

Public events like the Chilin' and Grillin' Festival, as well the newly revived Great Raft Race will be made even better due to new restroom housing, electrical power connections, water line service, and parking.

Parks Director Grant Gerondale expects the renovation to take about a year to complete.

Pokemon Go! Machop nest confirmed in Sand Springs River City Parks

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

I have been hearing rumors for weeks of a Machop nest at River City Park in Sand Springs and finally got to confirm Sunday morning.

The flagship of the Sand Springs Parks Department, River City is the "Gathering Place" of Sand Springs and can frequently be found packed with families and sports teams any day of the week.  

The park features a nine-basket disc golf course with alternate tees for eighteen holes. There's a (mildly overgrown) horseshoe pit, a skate park, a splash pad, boat ramp access to the Arkansas River, numerous great fishing holes, and a large stretch of scenic paved walking/biking trails.

The park's Inez Kirk Soccer Complex is home to the Sand Springs Soccer Club recreational league and the West Side Alliance competitive soccer league. The Jerry Adair Baseball Park is the home of the Sand Springs Little League and boasts some of the nicest facilities in the region. The Will Ramsey Softball Park, Case Community Center, Sand Springs Round Up Club rodeo arena, and Sand Springs BMX Association are also found in the massive park.

The soccer complex, ballparks, community center, and park entrance are all Pokéstops and the playground is a gym. However, due to the sheer size of the park, it's not a good place to go without a solid stock of pokéballs. The stops are spread out with zero overlap and unlikely to be lured on a normal day. 

Case Community Center

The Pokémon selection is solid, however. It's not as dense of a hunting ground as downtown Tulsa by any means, but it beats your average neighborhood park by a long shot. The best spot for diversity is the Case parking lot. As soon I pulled in, I was confronted by Diglet, Nidorina, Pidgey, and Ekans. After circling around the building I added a Tauros and Eevee. From there I went to the baseball park and found Exeggcute, Zubat, and multiple Krabby. Magikarp and other water type are throughout the area.  For the Machop nest, you have to travel all the way into the park to the BMX track. Some will spawn as far out as the disc golf course, but the deepest concentration is within the BMX fence. No worries though; the track has free admission for spectators! Head over to www.sandspringsbmx.com for their schedule and enjoy some racing while you hunt! 

A great opportunity to do some hunting will be on Labor Day when the park is swarmed with participants and spectators of the Great Raft Race. River City is the launching point for the race and there will likely be hundreds of spectators playing and I would be surprised if there's not at least one or two lures running. ​

Did I mention the outstanding concessions stand that's open all week long raising money for the soccer leagues? It's located right next to the splash pad and serves an above average array of food and drink including the famous Harper's Hut gourmet Shaved Ice!

So whether you're just working towards the elusive Machoke or Machamp, or you want a fun area to enjoy some fresh air with friends or family, River City is a five star destination for any Pokémon trainer!

First Responders Call for Blood Donors – Thursday, August 25

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SUBMITTED

Sand Springs’s first-responders are looking for citizens to support their efforts through blood donation with Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI).  Those who give at the Guns ‘N Hoses blood drive Thursday, August 25, will provide blood needed to save local lives, like those that fire and law enforcement staffs rescue. 

Anyone 16 years or older* can to stop by the Case Community Center between 1 and 6 p.m.  All donors will receive a special-edition Guns ‘N Hoses T-shirt and a pass for two to the Tulsa Zoo.  They will also participate in a little healthy competition by designating their donations to either the fire department or law enforcement as each rallies to top the other with the most donors.

Although all blood types are needed, donors with O-negative blood are particularly asked to come out.  While only nine percent of the population has this blood type, it is the ‘universal type’ and can be used at an accident scene or in an emergency department when there’s not time to identify a patient’s type.

“Sand Springs first responders see first-hand the daily need for blood when those they rescue require life-saving treatment,” Jan Laub, Executive Director, OBI Tulsa, said.  “We can’t say enough about the service they provide, and we owe it to them to do our part in making sure blood is available to save those whom they have risked their lives to rescue.”

Since there is no substitute for blood, supplies must constantly be renewed. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the state’s local non-profit, providing every drop of blood needed by patients in 90 percent of the state’s medical facilities including ALL Children’s, Veteran and Indian Hospitals.

Appointments for the blood drive may be made by calling 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org. 

 * 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds

Everything you missed at last night's busy City Council meeting

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Mayor Burdge reads and presents a proclamation recognizing L. Merle Parsons for his service

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The City of Sand Springs held a busy City Council meeting Monday night, filled with informative presentations, recognition of service, mayoral appointments and proclamations, and much debate.

Mayor Mike Burdge read and presented a proclamation to L. Merle Parsons, recognizing his twelve years of voluntary service to the City Planning Commission. He has served as the Chairman of the Commission since 2009 and is resigning as of June 30th. 

Mayor Burdge then proclaimed the summer of 2016 to be a "Summer of Reading" in the City of Sand Springs. Click here to read the full story.

The Council approved numerous measures under the consent agenda including the use of $30,036.50 for the purchase of a Trailer Mounted Patcher for the Street Department. The patcher will allow the Street Department to maintain asphalt temperature during transportation from the plant to the repair sites, making it easier to work with and mold to the existing streets. The current process involves transportation on an open flatbed work truck, meaning the asphalt has cooled by the time it arrives and is less pliable when filling potholes. 

Parsons gives a farewell address to the Council

The Council also approved a contract of $38,597.20 to Direct Traffic Control for road striping in various sections of the city considered "average to poor." This includes sections of Park Road from Adams Road to 81st West Avenue, sections of Morrow Road from Highway 97 to Adams Road, and sections of 41st Street from Highway 97 to 129th.

The Council had scheduled to consider approval of a contract with Dewberry Architects for design of the new Public Safety Facility, but tabled it for the next meeting.

By request of Parks Director Grant Gerondale, the City approved an amended ordinance concerning overnight stay in Parks facilities. Currently, overnight camping is prohibited in City Parks. Exceptions for events such as Oklahoma Freewheel (SEE RELATED) and Chillin and Grillin Festival (SEE RELATED) must be taken to City Council. The amendment will allow for that decision to be made at the Parks staff level. The Council also approved a recommendation to close large sections of River City Park from Sunday September 4th through Monday September 5th to allow Great Raft Race organizers to properly prepare for the event and finish setup before the Labor Day launch.

Parks Director Grant Gerondale addresses the Council.

A Studio 45 representative gave a presentation showing upcoming parks projects. A full story will be posted soon. Councilman Phil Nollan gave a presentation on USDA Rural Development, a full story on that is to come. Alan Ringle of Ringle Development, LLC gave a presentation regarding his requests for de-annexation of two housing developments.

Vice Mayor John Fothergill was appointed to the District Six seat on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Municipal League. Councilmen Fothergill, Jim Spoon, and Beau Wilson were appointed to the Council Legislative Committee. Councilmen Fothergill, Wilson, and Nollan were appointed to the Council Public Works Advisory Committee.

Mayor Burdge was appointed to the Indian Nations Council of Governments Board of Directors with City Manager Elizabeth Gray as an alternate. Councilmen Burdge and Fothergill were appointed to the INCOG General Assembly. Mayor Burdge was appointed to the INCOG Legislative Consortium with Gray as an alternate. Councilman Brian Jackson was appointed to the INCOG Tulsa Metropolitan Area Transportation Policy Committee. 

Appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Development Authority, Personnel Board, and Parks Advisory Board were tabled for a later meeting. Councilwoman Patty Dixon and former Councilman Harold Neal were appointed to the Planning Commission.

City Financial Director Kelly Lamberson presented the regular monthly Financial Reports. According to Lamberson, overall revenue for the past month is down 2%, but the City spent 16.2% below projections. The Pogue Airport performance was up 4.5% from the prior month. 

Gray reminded the Council that Arby's is the restaurant of the month for July as part of the City's Purchase with a Purpose Campaign. 

According to Gray more than 100 homes registered with the City-Wide Yard Sale Map--double the number that participated last year. SEE RELATED.

In the Municipal Authority meeting the Board appointed Gray as an alternate to the Sand Springs-Sapulpa Joint Board and tabled the appointment of Airport Advisory Board members for a later meeting. 

The Council retired to Executive Session "for the purpose of conferring on matters pertaining to economic development within the River West development area and for the purpose of conferring on other economic development projects in which public disclosure of the matter discussed would interfere with the confidentiality of the business...(and) for the purpose of conferring on matters pertaining to appraisal or acquisition of property for economic development purposes...and for the purpose of discussion related (to) possible claims against the Tulsa County Commissioners and/or Tulsa County Sheriff concerning jail operations..."