Hartington City Council wants to reopen some recreation areas here

HARTINGTON — The Hartington City Council Monday took steps to begin easing restrictions on area residents that were put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Mark Becker said after listening to guidance from the state, he would like to see the padlocks removed from the basketball, tennis and sand volleybal courts at Hartington’s two parks.

“I think we could open the tennis courts and basketball courts, but not the playground equipment or restrooms just yet,” Becker said. “I think it’s time to unlock those and give people access to those courts.”

The Council also debated what will happen with the city swimming pool this year because of the pandemic.

Council members said with current restrictions, only 10 people could be allowed in the pool at a time. Those regulations are expected to be relaxed in May, but state guidance is unclear on this right now. Council members agreed no decision on the fate of the pool will be made until more guidance from the state comes out.

The Council also learned Monday that new playground equipment ordered for the Hartington Community Complex should arrive in early May. No exact location has been found for the playground just yet, though, said Councilman Roman Wortmann.

Also Monday, Economic Development Board member Brandon Baller updated the City Council on TIFF projects in the community.

Baller said there are basically two TIFF projects in Hartington — WestField Acres and the Cobblestone Inn and Suites.

“It’s been a great program,” Baller said.

In other action Monday, the Council debated renting the basement of the City Auditorium to the League of Heroes youth wrestling program.

The youth wrestlers had used the facility in the past, but for the past couple of years have been at TUF instead. TUF is closing down, and the program is once again in need of a home.

Organizers have requested to use the facility on Tuesday and Thursday nights from Dec. 1 to March 1.

Council members feared such an arrangement might interfere with other groups that use the facility.

The TOPS group uses the facility on Tuesdays. Different organizations and families also like to hold Holiday parties at the facility in December.

Councilman Wortmann, who is in charge of the department that oversees the Auditorium and Community Recreation Complex, said he would like to see something worked out, but the different organizations would need to come to some sort of an agreement before that could happen.

The Council also debated how much to charge the youth organization for using the facility.

The issue was tabled so they could get more information from the various organizations before making a decision.