The Sandoval Village Board has approved a $1.2-million bid for the construction of a new water tower.
Mayor Pam Gelsinger says the rising cost of steel increased the cost from the estimated cost of $800,000. The contract was awarded to the low bidder, Caldwell Tank Company. The firm also built the old water tower that will be taken down as part of the project.
Sandoval has not had a working water tower for several years after major structural problems caused the old tower to be turned off and Sandoval to take water directly from the water line to Centralia. That left the city without any backup water supply in the event something happened to the Centralia Water Treatment plant.
Work on the new tower is expected to begin this fall. There is no firm completion date. Sandoval has received grants and loans to pay for the new tower. Gelsinger also announced work is nearly complete on the nearly $350,000 renovation of the village park with a 90-percent state OSLAD grant. She reports a few items for the dugouts of the new ball field and a swing for the playground are all that remain to be installed. Village crews will then work on the infield of the ball diamond.
The project included an all-new ball field, lighting, bleachers, and concession building along with an inclusive playground with new safer matting. Gelsinger hopes a ribbon cutting and ceremony to name the ball field for Steve Walker can be held as early as sometime in September.
Those who would like to buy gun raffle tickets to benefit the Sandoval cemetery will be on sale at Village Hall and the Colonial Golf Course until Labor Day weekend when the drawing will be held to determine the winner.
