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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - May 2020 Monthly Project Highlights1 City of Ames - May Project Highlights - 2020 Snow Miser is still waiting for his forever home. Photo Courtesy of Ron Edwards Police Animal Shelter During the COVID-19 closure the Animal Shelter has continued to find forever for animals in their care. The Shelter's website (www.AmesAnimalShelter.org) allows potential adopters to view all the animals that are available for adoption or stray pets that may have come in waiting for their owners to claim them. Online adoption applications on the website help staff to make the best possible match. Since the facility was closed on March 16, the shelter has received 37 animals (16 cats, 2 kittens, 17 dogs and 2 rabbits). During this period, 34 pets have been adopted (24 cats, 3 kittens, 6 dogs, and 1 rabbit) and 19 stray pets (5 cats and 14 dogs) have been returned to their original owners. Staff has essentially cleared out the shelter of adoptable animals. There are currently only three cats available for adoption with two additional barn cats that are being evaluated. All of the dogs have been adopted. A mother rabbit and her six bunnies are also being cared for at the shelter waiting until they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and ultimately adopted. Pictured at the top of the highlights is Snow Miser who is still waiting for his forever home. Parks and Recreation Aquatics Staff completed instructing the virtual portion of the Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) course. Once pools are back open, staff can complete the final eight hours of the course. Furman Aquatic 2 Center and Municipal Pool Shift Leaders are trained as LGI’s so they have a better understanding of what is expected of lifeguards. Ames/ISU Ice Arena During the closure, staff took the opportunity to get several projects done at the Arena. The first project was to take the ice down to ¼” so the ice could be repainted and then add ice to the desired thickness. The second project was to take 2” of asphalt off the parking lot, repair some curbs and sub-base issues, and then put 2” of asphalt on the top. The last project was to remove tiles in the skate room and concession area and then put down an epoxy paint. Pictures of these three projects are shown below. Sunset Ridge Park Ames Trenching, Ames, Iowa, started grading the site for the playground, shelter, and walkways at 397 Wilder Boulevard. After the grading is complete, the playground and shelter will be installed followed by a concrete walkway and shelter pad. The Sunset Ridge Property Owners Association has received close to $40,000 in donations and grants to go toward the development of the park in addition to the City’s $80,000 from the Park Development Fund. After ice was repainted! Parking lot being prepped for repaving. The new epoxy floor in the skate room and concession 3 Brookside Restroom Henkel Construction, Ames, Iowa, is making progress in renovating the restroom at Brookside Park. The sub-surface plumbing has been installed and the new concrete floor was laid in early May. The roof is set to be installed the week of May 18. Henkel is hoping to have the restroom completed in early June. The picture below depicts the completed sub-surface plumbing prior to pouring of the new concrete floor. Inis Grove Restrooms HPC, Inc., Ames, Iowa, is making progress on the renovation of the restroom located along Duff Ave., as well as the new restroom located north of the tennis courts. The renovated restroom is expected to be completed by the end of May. The new restrooms’ exterior shell is currently being constructed with hopes of it being completed this summer. Ames Foundation Tree Planting Over the last several years, the City has partnered with the Ames Foundation to conduct tree plantings in the parks and rights-of-way through the efforts of many volunteers. This spring, volunteers were unable to assist, however, City staff teamed with Country Landscapes staff to plant 80 trees in the rights-of-way. 4 Virtual Programming & More Staff continues to offer virtual fitness classes (Zumba, Zumba Gold, Strong 30 HIIT workout, Pilates, Core Strength, Cardio Kickbox and Simply Strength). A Zumba class was also recorded and downloaded to the Zumba Studio site so participants can view it at specific times that we choose in case they cannot make the Zoom classes. Staff is working to develop additional programming either virtually or the “good old- fashioned way.” Virtual opportunities include an Auditorium concert, a babysitting certification class, a wilderness first aid certification class, and possibly Municipal Band ensembles. Staff is also bringing back the Park Passport program whereby residents can visit parks, answer questions related to each park, and turn in the passport for prizes. A Take the Challenge Home Incentive program ended Sunday, May 10. There were 209 participants in the program, and all were grateful for the weekly challenges to keep them active during this time. Prizes will be mailed to the participants.