FAIRMONT– The Fairmont Park Board on Tuesday heard of a proposal to put a structure at the dog park which would help block the wind to make it more enjoyable for use in the winter months.

The proposal came from Britney Kawecki, who said both she and Parks and Street Superintendent, Nick Lardy, were contacted by an individual with the idea.

“They would like to do a fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus to raise money to build a three wall structure around the gazebo, on both sides if they can raise enough money,” Kawecki said.

She said the height mentioned was 4 ft. with lattice at the top so it can be seen around but would also allow protection from the wind in the winter.

Kawecki said while the person wishes to remain anonymous, they’ve talked to the Knights of Columbus, which is willing to do a breakfast fundraiser.

“He’d like to raise enough money for the big dog side and the little dog side. If they raise too much money, it can just be invested into other things the dog park needs,” Kawecki said.

It was asked if there were any drawings of the idea in mind. Lardy said that when adding something to an existing structure is discussed, it needs to be looked at to ensure that it can hold something extra on it.

“I’m okay with it, but you can’t really say, ‘yeah, let’s go for it,’ until you get some sort of design and someone to look at it,” Lardy said.

The board also discussed whether or not it would be a seasonal structure and what material it would be made of.

“I’m intrigued with the concept but I think there’s more information that’s needed from my perspective,” Monica Shelgren said.

Lardy said he would get in touch with the individual to get some more information and proceed from there.

Moving to other matters, Lardy said they opened up the parks on May 9, though the official opening was Monday. He also said that both the Sylvania Park shelter and Lincoln Park shelter are rented for the coming weekend.

“All the shelters are pretty busy,” Lardy said.

He said all of the docks are in throughout the city’s five lakes, including a new dock on the landing at Amber Lake and has an L shape fishing pier on it.

Lardy also brought up the dead spots on the soccer field. He said some professionals have come in and determined there’s some bug in there so the grass needs to be sprayed. Leveling work is also slated to be done at the soccer fields.

In other news, Greg Gellert said he received a request from a couple that lives by the soccer field to have a basketball hoop put up in the northeast corner of the parking lot.

“There’s really nothing in the area for that,” Gellert said.

“I could see other siblings use it while their siblings are at the soccer field,” said Shelgren.

Other board members were in favor of the idea, though it was noted that snow is typically stacked in the parking lot during the winter and the parking lot is generally packed with cars during the summer months. Lardy said he would look into the possibility of making it happen.

The next Park Board meeting is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21.