Construction at Central Park, CVAC to Be Completed By Summer

Two Chesterfield parks are getting a face-lift before summer starts.

There are several construction projects slated for that will be completed before little leaguers step on the mound and throw the season's first pitch. Plus, the trail at will be completed before the ampitheater's grand opening on May 21.

At CVAC, the original parks maintenance will be refurbished to become the complex's concessions hub. Mike Giesel, the city's head of parks and recreation, said the building will be converted to a walk-in freezer and cooler and will also have storage space for softball supplies. The city has been managing concession sales at the complex for five or six years, Giesel said. Costs on this project should come in at about $190,500.  

The concessions stand between the E and D fields will also be remodeled to be brough up to meet health codes. Geisel said there have been some concerns about the facility's grill in years past, so that will be upgraded. Plus, a new roof will be installed and a road ending in a cul-de-sac will be constructed near the stand, which will allow emergency services to access the building should anything go wrong. A water line will be extended to the building, and a seating area is being constructed near the east of the structure. 

"With the amount of use it gets, we need the upgrades," Geisel said. The project, which is estimated to come in under $537,700, will make the stand look more like the other concessions stand at the complex. 

The trail system around the lake at Central Park will be finished in a few months. When it's completed, Central Park will have a little more than a mile of trail, Geisel said. The trail will provide access to fishing platforms and will be ADA accessible.

The trail and the lake at Central Park were paid for through a partnership with Louis Sachs, the St. Louis County Library system, the West County YMCA, Chesterfield and the Stone Hill subdivision. Each entity agreed to chip in a bit for the trail. Originally the trail was supposed to be mulch; the city is paying more for the trail to be made of concrete, Geisel said. Costs on the project are estimated at about $219,800. Funds for the project, and the two projects at CVAC, will come from the city's park sales tax fund.

The trail should be completed for the . The celebration is planned for May 21. The amphitheater, which will be used for outdoor concerts and other events, will seat about 2,000 Geisel said. There are 300 fixed seats, plus areas for lawn seating. The grand opening will feature musical acts, a car show, hot air balloons and more.