WESTOVER – Senator Mike Oliverio, R-13th District, came before Westover City Council Monday evening with a $15,000 check in hand.
It took the city about 10 minutes to spend it.
The funds, provided through the state’s Local Economic Development Assistance Grant program, were provided to assist the city’s efforts to repair the ball fields in Westover City Park, which were all but destroyed by flooding on Father’s Day.
Moments later, council approved the lowest of three bids – $13,000 bid from Ferguson Waterworks – to supply the replacement for a damaged stormwater line.
Public Works Director Jason Stinespring said the city intends to do the work in-house. The project will consist of installing roughly 400 feet of stormwater line and three new inlets.
“Time is, of course, of the essence,” Stinespring said, explaining the city is working against the clock to get the infrastructure in place before the start of the summer season.
According to The Dominion Post archive, intense rain on June 15 caused the fishing pond in the park’s upper section to overflow its banks, sending a torrent of water down the hill to pool on the fields.
Worsening matters, the rapid increase in pressure blew out the stormwater line that drains the fields and connected parking area.
In the immediate aftermath, the tops of the park’s block dugouts could be seen poking out above some six feet of standing water.
In addition to the stormwater repairs, Stinespring said there is some additional cleanup work remaining to get the fields ready for play.
Oliverio praised the efforts of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office as well as Senator Joey Garcia, D-13th District, in securing the funds, “So that come summer, we can have kids back in the park and out on the ball fields in good shape.”
