Syracuse resident Doug Schrock presented a check for $100,000 to the Syracuse Park Board Monday for expenses related to the Syracuse Youth Athletic Complex.

Park superintendent Chad Jonsson reported Pacemaker Building has almost completed the concession stand and maintenance buildings at the complex and Ritter Electric has done the rough in work for the electric and plumbing in both buildings. Hostetler Landscaping has also graded the infields and Acute Fence has been setting fence poles.

The irrigation system has been ordered and a $12,000 grant from the Dekko Foundation has been awarded to pay for the power to be turned on. The park department is still waiting for NIPSCO to run power to the field.

The Koscuisko County Community Foundation has received a report on the project along with photos. Dick Pelletier, a member of the committee working on the complex, stated the irrigation system needed to be installed as soon as possible.

Pelletier is looking for funding from The Rinker Family Foundation and the Shoop Sports and Youth Foundation.

Jonsson also reported that Lakeside Park had larger crowds than normal during the Fourth of July, although people came later due to the heat. And, during Summer Fest, he said vendors left early due to the heat.

The Liberty Bike Ride will be held Saturday. Riders can register at the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce. Ride begins between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. with all participants to be off the routes by 4 p.m. Riders will leave from the Syracuse Community Center. Rides vary from around Syracuse Lake to all the way down to Winona Lake and back.

Jerry Riffle, tree board representative, asked how the routes were selected. Routes were selected to keep riders off busy roads.

The community wide garage sales will be Aug. 3-4. Those interested in participating should call the community center to register their garage sale to have it advertised.

For a complete reporting of the park board meeting, see this week’s issue of The Mail-Journal.