November 29, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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a Serving Western Oklahoma By Don Munsch, Editor Elk City City Commissioners on Nov. 20 received a peek at the conceptual design drawings of the new multipurpose center to be built at Ackley Park West. The center, included as part of the Community Action Project Plans in Elk City, will be built across from Elk City Elementary School. John Postic, representing Studio Archi- tecture in Oklahoma City, gave a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting, showing illustrations of the center and hand- ing out samples of materials that will be used at the center, including for tile and carpet, among others. Postic described many of those samples in detail so people understood why they were selected. Commissioners and patrons saw interior and exterior im- ages of the center, which will include courts viable for bas- Above is the conceptual design of the front of the indoor acti ity center planned for Elk City. — ketball and volleyball, a walking track, multipurpose rooms The city desires to build a center without cost surprises of $11 million, and the building will be and areas to watch television and play cards or games. Postic constructed facing the northwest and across from Elk City Elementary School. Image submitted showed multiple angles of the building’s exterior and inte- by Studio Architecture. rior. “[’ve been working with [City Manager] Lee [Litterell], months from being finished, as there are many details to crete,” Postic said, adding that there would also be metal the commission and the city building committee for several work through to ensure that when the building is constructed siding above it. months, and before that, the work that led to this, which was and opened, it is everything that people wanted. The building plaza will have benches, and even cafe tables Out front, the building would have parking spaces and a could be installed. Postic said a landscape or water feature on the CAPPs plan,” Postic said. “I’m really excited about what we’ve all developed together so far. So I’m here to give turnaround and that can be used for drop-offs. Some flagpoles could be added, such as a fountain. Postic envisions signage landscaping are in the plans. The building plans to have being installed. an update on discussions that we’ve had with the building committee, Youth and Family Services and Kids Inc. about designated spaces for seniors and handicapped parking. The Lots of glass can be found in front entrance area. A lobby what this building may end up being.” exterior of the building will have a combination of cast- and playground just inside the entrance would use a lot of in-place board formed concrete, which, when the concrete natural daylight. He advised commissioners and patrons the project is still hardens, it resembles wood siding. Just inside the building will be a lobby, and to the left, “Tt just has that impression of wood boards in the con- See Activity center page 2. Victim’s name released from Nov. 16 wreck Chamber touts Christmas in the Park Lots of holiday lights, hot cocoa and a wonderful time rides. By Don Munsch, Editor will welcome family, friends, and visitors to the annual Elk “Of course, the festivities wouldn’t be complete without Oklahoma Highway Patrol released the name of the per- City Christmas in the Park, the Elk City Chamber of Com- a trip to the Gingerbread Gift Shoppe and visit from Santa son killed in a two-vehicle wreck on the early morning of merce said in a press release. and Mrs. Claus,” the release stated, Santa Claus will greet Nov. 16 in Yukon, according to a report from the OHP. Visitors can drive through the park and view the light dis- boys and girls at the Santa Hut each Friday and Saturday Ariel Ross, 30, of Norman was the person killed in the plays every night from 6 to 11 p.m. beginning Friday and evenings through Dec. 21, 6-9 p.m. crash, according to OHP. She died at the scene. Her body continuing through New Year’s Eve. was transported to the Medical Examiner's Office in Okla- This year’s Christmas in the Park Ornament is the “Nativ- “Extra special activities” take place every Friday and Sat- homa City. ity Scene.” Chamber officials are happy about “how beauti- urday night through Dec. 21 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., the cham- The collision occurred just after 2 a.m. on Interstate 40 ful this ornament is and what the Nativity represents.” The ber release said. eastbound, approximately 1 mile east of Cimarron Road in ornaments are $15 each and can be purchased at the Elk The festivities all take place at Ackley Park located on Yukon, City Chamber of Commerce, the Transportation Museum, Historic Route 66, and admission remains free to all visi- Katelyn Wood, 21, of Mustang was driving a 2019 Buick tors. City Hall and the Ginger Bread Gift Shop at Christmas in Encore in the eastbound center lane of I-40 when she collid- This year, Friday and Saturday night extra special activi- the Park. ed with a 2008 Chevy Cobalt driven by Tristin K. Hancock, ties include train rides on the Candy Cane Express, light “It doesn’t get any better than this when it comes to holi- 26, of Elk City. His car stopped in the center tours on the Mistletoe Express, a double-decker bus. day fun for the entire family,” said Chamber of Commerce See Victim page 2. The Centennial Carousel also will be available for kids Executive Director Susie Cupp, in the release. “Christmas of all ages and new this year will be the Holly Jolly Trolley See Christmas in the Park page 2. SWOSU to host blood drive next week \ The Holly Jolly Trolley leaves the parking lot of Walgi reens in Elk City. Right, Julie Lenius, director of the Elk City Convention and Visitors Bureau, discusses the the trolley during an interview as the trolley rolled down Elk City streets. Staff photo by Don Munsch. Visitors can have a Holly, Jolly ride in Elk City By Don Munsch, Editor Christmas in the Park begins today, and people can re- The Holly Jolly Trolley turned left from Third Street to ceive a lighted tour on the trolley. Main Street Monday afternoon in Elk City, and “tour guide” “It will be every Friday and Saturday between now and Dec. 21, so it will start [today] and go through Dec. 21, Fri- and local radio personality Chad Roper couldn’t resist advis- Pictured is the shirt donors will receive. Photo pro- ing passengers about one of the sites on the quick downtown days and Saturday, 6 though 9 p.m. at Ackley Park,” said tour. Julie Lenius, director of the Elk City CVB. vided by SWOSU. “Look over to your [right], there’s a lovely Walgreens,” The trolley can be found next to the tennis courts at Ack- Southwestern Oklahoma State University will sponsor a he said on a mic inside the trolley, prompting laughs from ley Park. The double-decker bus and trolley will be stationed blood drive on Monday and Tuesday on the Weatherford the passengers. next to each other. The double-decker bus is the Mistletoe campus. The Elk City Convention and Visitors Bureau wants folks Express, and people can receive lighted tours on it. The public is invited and encouraged to participate in the to have a good time on the Holly Jolly Trolley, which will be “It’s just part of free activities that we have every year,” drive, sponsored by the Oklahoma Blood Institute, which ready beginning today for free rides and tours of the lights Lenius said. will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day in the Well- in Ackley Park. On Monday, the trolley cruised streets in Boy Scouts will give free hot cocoa and popcorn during ness Center on the SWOSU campus, according to a news downtown to showcase its Yuletide appeal. the Friday and Saturday events, and people may visit Santa release. Inside the trolley, folks listened to music and even broke Claus and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Parkplace and buy holiday Donors will receive a long-sleeved “Follow Your Instinct” into song at one point, when “Jingle Bells” was played on ornaments at the Gingerbread Gift Shop. Lights are activat- See Blood drive page 2. the speaker. Around 15 people rode the bus on the tour. ed each night from 6 to 11 p.m. Weather Vol. 117, No. 96 Mail delivery View online : iki Mt I ll | In l * tomorrow 59 / 2. 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com