On the Edges

Nixa

Firms chosen for McCauley Park

The city of Nixa has selected two companies to work on master plans for facilities at McCauley Park, according to Brian Bingle, Nixa interim city administrator. Sapp Design Associates, Architects, PC is working on a master plan for an approximately 36,000-square-foot community building for the park. Sapp Design Associates is the architect of the Nixa High School, now under construction.

Larkin Aquatics, a division of the Larkin Group Inc., has been chosen to design the park's aquatic facility. The Larkin Group has its headquarters in Kansas City, and has an office in Springfield, according to Steve Polk, director of business development for the Larkin Group. The company has built 600 pools throughout the Midwest, including Carthage, Nevada, Harrisonville and Sedalia and Springdale, Ark., Polk said.

The facilities will probably cost $4 million, and $300,000 in city sales tax revenues has already been earmarked for the project, Bingle said. The community building will house the city's Parks and Recreation Department and provide recreation space, meeting rooms, a thirteenth-mile walking track and an exercise and cardiovascular facility.

It has not been decided whether the aquatic facility will feature an indoor or outdoor pool. Bingle said that meetings with the public, city staff and the Board of Aldermen will be held during February and March, with complete plans in place by the first of April.

City's sales tax jumps in 1999

The city of Nixa's 1-cent general sales tax revenues increased in 1999, as a result of the opening of many new retail stores, including the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Braum's and Burger King, according to Nixa City Clerk Coralee Patrick.

In 1999, the city collected $1.19 million in sales tax compared to $777,976 in 1998, an increase of $410,083.

Ozark

Chamber announces award winners

Several community awards were given at the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet Jan. 22.

The winner of the Citizen of the Year was Rick Johnson, Chamber Member of the Year was Chuck Murfin Jr., Pacesetter Award winner was Chlorene Hedgpeth, and Business of the Year was the Ozark Parks and Recreation Department.

Republic

MFA Town & Country store to open in March

Farmers, animal owners, contractors and do-it-yourselfers in Republic will soon have a one-stop shopping experience when the MFA Town & Country store opens in March, according to Store Manager Kip Baker.

The store, located at 860 U.S. Hwy. 60 West, near Frisco Square, will open in March and hold a grand opening celebration in April, Baker said. The 20,000-square-foot building's contractor is Ron Deffenderfer Building LLC.

A staff of 20 to 25 will be managed by Baker, who has managed the Springfield store of 2001 E. Trafficway for 11 years. That store will close this summer, according to Baker, in order to focus on MFA's mission to serve rural communities.

The Republic store will feature all kinds of animal feed, fertilizer, seed, animal health products, Val-Spar paints, spray paints for tractors, Carhartt clothing, hardware, plumbing, electrical, a tool and equipment rental sector and horse and tack products.

Baker expects to have extended store hours to accommodate homeowners, and the store will probably be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Baker said the MFA store has already received a positive reception in Republic.

"We are really looking forward to serving that community," he said.