Safety was top of mind as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend the city build a new maintenance shop at Greenmount Cemetery in 2016.

“We want those employees to have a safe and healthy work place,” said Sandy Burke, chairwoman of the board.

The Durango City Council has previously rejected the idea of spending $2.2 million on the shop in 2016, favoring instead a new facility for gymnastics to replace the Mason Center.

City Councilor Christina Rinderle, a liaison to the board, would like to see both projects pursued.

There is money from dedicated sales tax revenue to support both, said Parks and Rec Director Cathy Metz.

However, the details around replacing the Mason Center have not been made public, she said.

Before the board voted unanimously in support of the building, Burke emphasized the group has delayed recommending construction of the shop several times and it’s time to act.

An assessment of the building in 2012 showed the roof could collapse under heavy snow.

“It’s a safety hazard right now,” said board member Richard Hoehlein.

In addition to a new building, a new access road and parking has been discussed.

As part of its recommendations, the Parks and Rec Board also stood behind rebuilding the softball and tennis complexes at Fort Lewis College.

The city has a contractual obligation to build these facilities as part of a 50-year lease with FLC, and the city’s adult softball league is the largest adult parks and rec program, Metz said.

During the project, the city will replace the lights, revamp the fields and rebuild the bathrooms, which have been unusable for eight years, Metz said.

However, the approximately $2.6 million set aside for both new projects may not be enough. This could delay work on the tennis complex until 2017, she said.

The city also plans to spend $25,000 to design upgrades for the Durango Skate Park, which would include a water fountain, shade structure and seating.

Design work will also be done in 2016 on the extension of the Animas River Trail north from Memorial Park to the Oxbow Park and Preserve.

All of the parks and rec projects proposed for 2016 are subject to approval by the Durango City Council, which will vote on the budget in December.

mshinn@durangoherald.com