Bandstand coming to Madison Park

QUINCY – The Quincy Park Board approved a laundry list of projects Wednesday night, including a new bandstand for Madison Park.

This was part of the proposed 2025 capital projects list passed unanimously by the board. Other items on the list included a playground for the Paul Dennis Soccer Complex and sport court resurfacing throughout multiple parks.

The bandstand will replace the showmobile that is currently used for current events in Madison Park. The $400,000 cost will be split between the Quincy Park Band, through fundraising, and the Park District.

“We are working with engineers and the Quincy Park Band to finalize a plan in winter,” said Executive Director, Rome Frericks. “We are hoping to break ground next summer.”  

The Park Board also approved new construction at Wavering Park. The project is funded with an OSLAD grant program, a 50/50 cost sharing program with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Funds will consist of $400,000 from the G.O. Bond 2024 Fund, $30,400 from Corporate/Capital Development Fund and $600,000 from IDNR/OSLAD Grant. 

Four bids were considered for the project with the lowest bid from Derhake Construction being $1,030,400. Derhake has handled other construction projects at Johnson and Madison Parks and has also done concrete work for the Park Board. 

The Wavering turf fields will be getting new fencing and netting after safety concerns were raised by spectators. The lowest bid of $16,995 from Hickman Fencing and Windows was approved by the Park Board. The fencing will be put in this year and the additional netting next spring. 

The proposed 2024 aggregate tax levy was also presented to the Board for discussion. The $2,772,451 levy will bring in and additional $271,017 based primarily on a projected 8 percent increase in Adams County’s equalized assessed valuation (EAV). The Park District is also proposing a tax rate increase from .30964 in 2023 to .32028 in 2024.

The 2025 tax levy will be voted on at the November meeting.