Highland Parks to receive $54,000 in loan from Madison County

by Randy Pierce • Highland’s parks and recreation program is receiving a loan totaling $54,022.20 from Madison County to fund the purchase of a fleet of 22 new cycling bicycles to use in fitness classes. 

At its regular monthly meeting held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, the county board unanimously approved offering the loan to the city, which needs to replace existing exercise bicycles that have required increased maintenance and are difficult to repair because of outdated parts that need to be replaced.

The source of the funding is the county’s park and recreation grant commission, which was formed to support local recreation programs as a result of state legislation. Earmarking the requested total required to replace the bicycles was approved by the county board grants committee, which recommended that the full board approve the resolution authorizing the loan set up for a three-year payback at 3% interest. 

Laura Wilken, director of recreation and special events for Highland, said the stationary bicycles are part of fitness classes held at the Korte Recreation Center that are available to program members or guests who register and pay a walk-in fee to participate. The bicycles being replaced have been in use since 2017, Wilken added.