Tuesday, May 21st, 2019
Mayor to aid in RecPlex flood meeting with state
By William Kincaid
CELINA - Mayor Jeff Hazel vowed to facilitate meetings between the owner of the former Breakaway RecPlex site and state officials to discuss ways to mitigate flooding allegedly caused by the spillway and Beaver Creek.
James Chilimigras of Mississippi came to city council's regular meeting on Monday night seeking help to deal with the conditions he believes are responsible for the flooding.
"Since we purchased that, we've done a lot of work and took the trouble to select good tenants that are reputable, respected by the community and were able to work with the young children in soccer and roller skating and such," he said.
The latest round of flooding caused considerable damage to the facility, Chilimigras told the newspaper.
"We can handle the storms, but we cannot handle the Grand Lake water and Beaver Creek overflowing its bank and going into our property," he told councilors.
Breakaway RecPlex's previous owner, Tom Case, who died Dec. 31, 2011, had installed a levy around the structures, parking lot and grass, as well as an industrial pump. But this protection system was of no avail when waters recently surged into and overflowed Beaver Creek, Chilimigras said.
As a person who loves Celina and is invested in the community as a taxpayer, Chilimigras appealed to city officials to work with him to address the recurring flooding.
He cited the nearby spillway and Beaver Creek as the culprits.
"The spillway - it's got to be controlled," he said. "That's the largest inland lake in the whole state of Ohio."
He also said the banks of Beaver Creek need to be built up to stop water from spilling onto his property.
"You don't have to build it with large construction like we do down south," he said.
Chilimigras said the state has a duty to prevent the flooding.
Hazel pledged to help Chilimigras coordinate meetings and initiate talks with state officials.
"We can't rebuild a roadway. The city can't rebuild the Beaver (Creek). I mean, that's outside of our jurisdiction, but we can make those contacts to start a discussion," Hazel said.
Hazel said he appreciates the Chilimigras's investment in Celina.
"Because frankly I want to see this succeed," Hazel said. "I think it's a great facility. He had just gotten it fully leased out and the kids loved it in the area. This is very important to our community in general."
