Into the Deep (end): Center on the Lake mulls adding indoor pool
Into the Deep (end): Center on the Lake mulls adding indoor pool
Gateway Park on agenda for tonight's Planning Commission meeting; Pecanty to be Valedictorian at Maumelle Charter plus sports and headlines
Note to subscribers: An annual or monthly subscription is billed to your debit or credit card as ARKANSAS.SUBSTACK.COM and if you have questions, please email arkansas@substack.com. Thanks for reading and subscribing!No new pandemic deaths
The state Department of Health, in its April 20 report, showed no new Covid deaths. The virus has killed 13,765 Arkansans since the pandemic began four years ago. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds
The Headlines
Meetings: The Maumelle Planning Commission will meet tonight at City Hall. For more, keep scrolling,
Events: A ribbon-cutting for the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce will be held at 11:30 a.m. today at the new Grove Center at 12118 MacArthur Drive in North Little Rock. The building features a food pantry, thrift store and community space. The grand opening will be this Saturday and once up and running, the hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Gateway Park on Planning Commission agenda
The Maumelle Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. this evening at City Hall in a regularly scheduled meeting.
The complete agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
The most notable item of business is the city’s proposed Gateway Park that would be built at the site of the old fire station and court complex at the intersection of Maumelle Boulevard and Millwood Circle
Gateway Park was also discussed at the last City Council meeting and now goes to the Planning Commission before going back to the Council for final approval.
The address for Gateway Park will be 101 Millwood Circle and three things will be discussed at tonight’s meeting:
Proposed Amendment to Master Land Use Plan
Proposed Amendment to Master Zoning Map
Proposed Conditional Use Permit
As laid out in the Planning Commission packet, the old municipal building would be demolished to allow for the park that would feature an area for food trucks as well as green space, a community stage and it would also connect to the proposed greenway bicycle trail. The area covers 2.81 acres of land that also runs parallel to the city’s busy street, Maumelle Boulevard.
Existing trees would remain as a buffer, as well as a trail that would run parallel to the Boulevard.
The request by the city was described as “reasonable” as the park would also become the front porch into the Town Center Commercial District as well as the greenway.
Planning staff had a “Do-Pass recommendation” for the project and noted that the park was in conformance with the city’s Maumelle Forward plan.
The report from planning also noted that the Pulaski County Brownfields program, that helps cities dispose of hazardous materials, would help “remediate asbestos and other contaminates found on site.”
Into the Deep (end): Center on the Lake mulls adding indoor pool
An indoor pool for community use has long been on Maumelle’s wishlist and the idea of one has again sprang up, this time at Center on the Lake.
Nicole Vogler., the city’s Director of Senior Services, said a meeting was held last week to hash out plans and form committees and focus groups.
But, the idea of putting a pool at the Center on the Lake is as old as the building itself.
“The idea to possibly add an indoor therapy pool was considered when Center on the Lake was designed,” she wrote in an email to ArkansasNewsroom.com. “It was not part of the project due to cost, but the building architect kept the possibility for a future addition in mind when the center was designed.”
The facility would be simple by design.
“I envision a modest indoor, therapy pool that will be aide to our 50 plus aging population for years to come,” she said, “and be as close to possible as net neutral for expenses vs. income”
As the project is still in its nascent stages, there’s no renderings yet but Vogler said, “It would be preferable to be attached/near Center on the Lake, but no location has been determined.”
The location would then guide the design. There’s a multitude of indoor, municipal pool facilities in and around central Arkansas. Among the largest is the Bill Harmon Recreation Center in Sherwood, above, which features a competition pool for the Sherwood Sharks swim program to the more modest facility that is part of North Little Rock’s Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center, below.
Vogler said other facilities have been looked at, “informally” but going forward looking around would be part of the indoor therapy pool study.
When an indoor pool had been previously discussed in Maumelle, one idea floated, we’re sorry, was to partner with a local healthcare facility to share costs.
Vogler said, “a public/private partnership has not been ruled out.”
Serving on the executive committee are Mayor Caleb Norris, city economic development director Courtney Dunn, staff from the city’s planning Department, Fire Marshall Scott Eaton, Cindy Milazzo and Vogler.
There’s two focus groups, with one featuring board members from Counting on Each other and included Anne Moreo, Rick Spugnardi, Willa Black Sanders and LaDonna Brown.
While the second focus group included Jan Bullington, Norman Milner, Jenny Corbusier, Lane Phelps, Russell Gottschalk and Phil Griffey.
Vogler said that a consultant, George Deines Study Director with Counsilman-Hunsaker Aquatics for Life, would arrange a meeting with the executive committee in a “couple of weeks” to “discuss designs and costs based on focus group feedback.”
Vogler indeed, “this study is not a guarantee that a pool will be built. The study will determine possible layouts, locations and costs. We have said for years that we cannot build an indoor therapy pool for years to come due to costs. identifying the costs may bring us a step closer to determining the reality of an indoor therapy pool.”
So the smell of chlorine isn’t quite in the air yet, but things are promising.
Pecanty to be Valedictorian at Maumelle Charter
Maumelle Charter’s Annika Pecanty is the school’s first-ever National Merit finalist and will also be her senior class’s valedictorian at graduation on May 17.
Pecanty, above, has done a little bit of everything at Maumelle Charter as was a co-founder of the Mental Health Awareness Association as well as the school’s crochet club. She also plays on the soccer team and has compiled over 120 hours of community service. She’s also been a member, and held leadership roles in the Beta Club and National Honor Society.
“If you know Annika, you know that nothing will stand in the way of her achieving her goals, not even childhood cancer,” said Rachel Hiegel, Academic Facilitator at Maumelle Charter. “In 7th grade, Annika was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and through the struggles of the disease, the chemotherapy treatments, and the isolation of recovery, Annika was still able to maintain her coursework and focus. She is persevering, compassionate, and kind.”
Pecanty will attend the University of Tulsa this fall with a major in biochemistry and a goal to attend medical school.
After that, she wants to become a “pediatric oncologist to help children around the nation who suffer from childhood cancer,” Hiegel said.
Sports
High school: Spring Sports roundup
All upcoming games are weather permitting and records and rosters are from the each school’s ScorebookLive.com page,
Maumelle Charter
Baseball
Record: 8-15 (2-6 conference)
Upcoming games: The season is over for the Falcons after a loss to Atkins on Monday.
Softball
Record: 4-9 (0-5)
Boys soccer
Record: 11-1-2 (7-1-1)
Upcoming games: A rematch against CAC is Friday and the regular season wraps up next week followed by the 3A state tournament in Bergman with seeding still to be determined.
Girls soccer
Record: 7-5-1 (4-2)
Upcoming games: There's three matches, including a rematch against CAC, remaining in a regular season that ends on May 2 and then a state tournament appearance is likely.
CAC
Baseball
Record: 11-4 (6-0)
Upcoming schedule: The district tournament begins this week and the Mustangs are the No. 1 seed.
Softball
Record: 2-6 (2-3)
Boys soccer
Record: 9-3-2 (5-0-1)
Upcoming schedule: The Mustangs still haven’t loss in conference play after getting a draw against Episcopal on Tuesday. Three matches left and then the 3A state tournament in Bergman.
Girls soccer
Record: 10-3 (5-1)
Upcoming schedule: The Mustangs are rolling along and have three matches remaining before the regular season ends on Thursday, May 2.
Maumelle
Baseball
Record: 15-7 (11-1)
Upcoming schedule: A doubleheader against Little Rock Christian next Tuesday will decide the 5A-Central crown and the seeding for the state tournament in Harrison that starts May 9.
Softball
Record: 19-5-1 10-2)
Upcoming schedule: The Hornets lost a doubleheader to Beebe (20-3, 12-0) on Tuesday and there’s another doubleheader against Mount St. Mary next Tuesday. Maumelle is looking like the No. 2 seed from the 5A-Central for the state tournament at Harrison.
Boys soccer
Record: 4-9-1 (4-8-1)
Upcoming schedule: Maumelle lost a pair in conference action and a state tournament appearance is looking more and more unlikely,
Girls soccer
Record: 9-8 (9-4)
Upcoming schedule: Three matches remain and Maumelle is headed to the state tournament as either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed from the 5A-Central. This year’s state tournament is at Hot Springs Lakeside.
North Little Rock
Baseball
Record: 5-14 (2-9)
Upcoming schedule: The 'Cats would need some significant help to make the 6A state tournament at Bentonville but with a number of makeup games remaining, it it still possible.
Softball
Record: 6-14 (5-4)
Upcoming schedule: There’s still games left but North Little Rock is looking like the No. 4 seed from the 6A-Central for the state tournament in Fayetteville.
Boys soccer
Record: 7-8-1 (2-8-1)
Upcoming schedule: The 'Cats have two matches left, hosting Jonesboro on Friday and a trip to Bryant on Tuesday. If North Little Rock beats Jonesboro, then the ‘Cats will be the No. 6 seed from the 6A-Central with a noon match on May 9. This year’s state tournament is at Little Rock Southwest.
Girls soccer
Record: 10-8-1 (2-9-1)
Upcoming schedule: Three matches remain with North Little Rock currently sixth in the 6A-Central. Beat Jonesboro and the ‘Cats are at least the No. 6 seed from the 6A-Central and headed to the state tournament at Bryant.
Upcoming Travs games
At Springfield, Now through Sunday
Opponent – San Antonio
Tuesday, April 30, 11:05 a.m.
School Day and Senior Day
Wednesday, May 1, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at DSP Box Office). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Rock N Roll Sushi
Thursday, May 2, 6:35 p.m.
$3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and Concessions deals, including Hot Dogs, Soft Drinks, Cotton Candy, and a Select Canned Beer & Seltzer!
Friday, May 3, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Music of Arkansas:
501 Night & Jersey Auction | Presented By Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, May 4, 6:35 p.m.
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game!
Sunday, May 5, 1:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday: Get $2 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin (only available at DSP Box Office)
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game!
At Wichita, May 7-12
Fidelity accepting fund applications
Fidelity Communications began accepting spring 2024 applications on Monday, April 1, for the company’s Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards $250,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted through April 30.
Charitable Giving Fund grants will be made available across communities served by Fidelity and the other Cable One family of brands (Sparklight, Hargray and ValuNet Fiber) and will concentrate support in the following priority areas:
Education and Digital Literacy
Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity
Community Development
Last year, the company awarded grants to more than 50 nonprofits, including organizations devoted to the above priority areas as well as teen suicide prevention, homelessness resources, poverty disruption, child advocacy and more.
“We are honored to support nonprofit organizations helping those most in need in the communities we serve,” said Julie Laulis, Cable One President and CEO. “Being a strong local partner is central to our values and we are proud to help make a positive difference where we live and work.”
The Charitable Giving Fund is an extension of the company’s existing corporate social responsibility efforts, which include:
Supporting national organizations dedicated to advancing education and diversity, including the Emma Bowen Foundation and the National Diversity Council.
Supporting the mission of Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition, as well as health, arts, leadership, and advocacy programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Planting trees through the Arbor Day Foundation on behalf of customers who switch to paperless billing. Since 2015, the company has planted 140,000 trees in its markets and national forests within the company’s footprint.
Supporting the mission of Keep America Beautiful in cleaning up and beautifying communities across the U.S.
Fighting hunger in local communities through volunteerism and donations, as well as supporting organizations such as Feed My Starving Children. Since 2018, Cable One has donated more than 51 tons of food and nearly $500,000 to address food insecurity.
For more information about the Fidelity Charitable Giving Fund, visit www.fidelitycommunications.com/charitablegiving.
Camp Healing Hearts set for May 17
Methodist Family Health’s Kaleidoscope Grief Center is currently accepting applications to attend its free overnight grief camp, Camp Healing Hearts.
It will be held at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock and will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17 and conclude the next day.
The camp is available to any Arkansas family who has experienced a death in the last three to six months.
Grief can be a terrible thing and the camp is designed to help those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. It is for children from 5 to 18 and an adult caregiver is also required to attend with the child.
There’s 100 spaces available and to apply for the free camp, go to MethodistFamily.org/Camp-Healing-Hearts and complete the form online.
Application deadline is Sunday, May 5.
For more information, call Dao Ward at 501-537-3991 or toll-free at 800-756-3709.