FAIRMONT – In discussion since last year, an electric substation is now being built near Bullhead Park in Fairmont.

Public Works Superintendent Nick Lardy and Public Utilities Director Matthew York presented the update during Tuesday’s Park Board meeting.

The new West Industrial Park Substation will be placed just east of where the two water tanks are along Bixby Road.  The Substation near Bullhead Park will be on the Fairmont Energy Station site.

“Behind the SMMPA power plant,” Lardy said. “The [new] substation is going to connect to another substation or out by the fairgrounds.”

Lardy said the purpose of the new construction will be electrical upgrades. The park is located off Pioneer Drive, north of the train tracks.

Originally, there had been talk of taking over the park to do the electrical substation. York said the plans ended up being relocated due to soil issues, and are being placed on a piece of land separate from the park.

“There’ll be new transmission and distribution lines that will run down the property and go outward,” he said.

For the foreseeable future, Lardy said there will be noticeable construction around that area.

“It’s not affecting the area,” he said. “Just visually.”

Board Member Jodie Whitmore asked about the cost of the construction and if it’s costing the city. York said the overall project budget is $22 million, but it’s the company’s construction and the substations are partially owned by them.

In other news:

— Community Education and Recreation (CER) Director Stephanie Busiahn said they have had 782 registrations for their summer offerings. Programs utilizing the parks include their summer park fishing and playground series utilizing Gomsrud, Lincoln, Amber and Sylvania.

— Board Members discussed ideas for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Board Member Jeff Coquyt said it may be further down the road, but he wants to capitalize on the popularity of pickleball with new courts. He said another big wish list item is a large outdoor hockey rink, and the two ideas could link together. Whitmore said it may not necessarily be park board, but she would like to see the prioritization of tiny houses to help with the housing shortage currently squeezing Fairmont. She envisioned a cul-de-sac-like arrangement, but smaller.

*Editor’s note: This article has been updated for clarity from an earlier version.