Golf course bridge replacement kicks off Niles Park District’s pre-spring projects

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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:26AM

The Niles Park District is preparing for the spring season by getting several capital projects under way.

One of the projects is to replace the bridge on the Tam Golf Course at Hole No. 5.

“This is the last bridge to be replaced,” said Niles Park District Director Joseph LoVerde.

The bridge is one of several that have been replaced. It has been there for several decades.

The new bridge will be wider and safer for the golf carts, LoVerde explained.

LoVerde said the village is also working on putting together bid packages for renovating the parking lots at Tam Center and the office building on Howard Street.

The renovated parking lots will feature new asphalt and striping, but provide the same amount of parking spaces as it does now.

In the next month Park District officials will also start planning the remodeling of Iceland skating rink on Ballard. The Park District has budgeted about $1.5 million for that project.

The renovation will involve remodeling the rink and indoor space, including the installation of new bathrooms.

Park District officials will also look at refrigeration options to make sure they are keeping the ice frozen in the most energy-efficient way.

LoVerde said the indoor renovations will be similar to those recently completed at Grennan Heights.

An outdoor skating rink recently was added at Iceland.

The indoor renovations will likely be phased in over a two-year time period during 2012 and 2013.