Progress continues to be made on a project that will enhance a recreation park in Lower Towamensing Township.

Todd Solt, a member of the township's Recreation Committee, on Tuesday updated the township's board of supervisors on the status of the Stoney Ridge

P.A.R.C. along Fireline Road.Solt said work that must still be completed includes final grading and seeding on the east end, the installation of two swing sets, as well as building renovations to include two bathrooms, a service kitchen with handicapped accessibility, HVAC, sewer and water."They're looking at renting the building out as a banquet facility that would hold about 200 people," Solt said. "There will be a full length patio with a handicapped accessible ramp, and facing Fireline will be a new entrance."Resident Herman Bollinger then questioned where the idea for a banquet facility entered into the equation.Solt told Bollinger that while a banquet facility hasn't actually been confirmed as of yet, such an idea would help bring income into the township.Regardless, Bollinger said he still had some reservations with the entire project."I still am leery with the soil that got hauled in there from a Superfund site," Bollinger said. "That is contaminated soil and the kids are supposed to play there."But, supervisors Chairman Ron Walbert said the state said the soil is "safe."Solt said he expects the materials to arrive by May, and added that all the work will be done by volunteers. Solt said anyone who would like to volunteer should call himself, or the township building.In June, the township held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park.The township received $45,000 two years ago from the Community Development Block Grant to build a tot lot, and expects to receive another $75,000 in CDBG funds to use toward other park improvements.In July of 2008, supervisors agreed to apply for a $774,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.With assistance from Speaker of the House Keith McCall, the DCED grant was secured to pay for a combination football/soccer field, another baseball field, and a walking path around the property.In April of 2008, supervisors applied for a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the park. That grant, was to help pay for the construction of a double basketball court with lighting, as well as additional parking.However, Solt said the combination football/soccer field and double basketball courts may not be built contingent on the receipt of the grants."We have to cut the north side parking lot down to final grade," Solt said. "We will have a nature trail, and there will be some regular walking paths."Once again, Bollinger chimed in on the conversation."I'm not against the park, but it's the way it was operated and the way it was done," Bollinger said.Walbert assured Bollinger things will run smoother in the future."It's going to be done differently," Walbert said. "Whatever's done out there will be inspected, and all permits will be [in place]."Still, Bollinger said the project won't come free of charge."I don't care where you get the grants from," Bollinger said. "It's going to cost the taxpayers money."Resident Richard Leiby said he agreed with the idea to not build the basketball court."I think the basketball courts should not be built," Leiby said. "When you do that, you get people coming around at all different times."Solt said the target is to have three-quarters of the complex completed by this fall.Ed Kupillas, president of the Towamensing/ Palmerton baseball/softball association, said the organization has about 400 members."It's nice to know about the building space, because we are starved for field space," Kupillas said. "Softball is really where we're hurting for field space."The township purchased the land from the Knights of Columbus in 2000. Since then, a ball field and refreshment stand have been built, and a local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop have used several acres of the land.The township's Recreation Committee meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month.