INSIDE
: MHS students receive taekwondo crash course
REFLECTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY
Volume 3, Issue 46 April 10, 2026
Total Raised: $112,110
Lead this Legacy
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Tiger Athletic Community Center Construction begins on Hart streetscape project Construction on the $600,000 contribution of Hart’s Downtown from the Hart Tax Increreadies for soft opening next month City Event Plaza and streetsment Finance AuthoriBy Sharon Hallack
The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
PERMIT NO 62
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BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 BIG PERMIT NO 62RAPIDS, MI 49307
SHELBY - The 68,000 square-foot Tiger Athletic Community Center (TACC), located on the southeast side of the Shelby Township Community Park, now in its final phase of construction, is looking toward a soft opening in the middle of May, according to Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Raffaelli. As final construction takes place and finishing touches come together, Raffaelli, on behalf of the township, has been hosting sneak peek tours to area organizations, including Shelby Village Council and staff, the Shelby Rotary and Shelby Optimists. The main attractions of the new $9.7 million project will be the hardwood courts and artificial-turf indoor playing fields. The hardwood courts are built to accommodate two fullsize basketball courts, but can also be divided into three volleyball or six pickleball courts. The indoor playing field is large enough to accommodate full-size soccer and football practices/ games, or can be divided with movable nets for
• Sharon Hallack/Echo
Community members tour the new TACC in Shelby golf, softball and base- Associates of Muskegon ball practice. i’move physical therapy Additional indoor program will be leasing amenities include a 1,600 square-feet on the running/walking track east side of the building with rubberized sur- for their newest location. face elevated above the “This will be (equivalent courts and fields below; to) their largest satellite a climbing wall com- facilit(ies),” Raffaelli said. plete with modern belay From top to bottom, equipment; an indoor and from the inside out, archery range; golf sim- this state-of-the-art facilulator/practice room; ity has been well-thought birthday party/board out and planned to meet room; arcade; and chil- many needs within the dren’s playscape. greater Shelby commuThe center will be nity. “We are building managed by a nation- this for our kids, the next ally known third-party generations who will service. Exact fees and come after us,” Raffaelhours of operation are li said at the end of the yet to be determined, tour. but Raffaelli did say there The project, funded would be four tiers of by grants and private membership/use - Shel- donations, has come up by Seniors, Shelby Town- approximately $300,000 ship taxpayers, Oceana short, anyone wishing to County residents (out- close the gap is encourside Shelby Township) aged to contact the Oceathose living outside of na Community FoundaOceana County. tion. More information is In addition to the ath- available at oceanafounletic facility, Orthopedics dation.org.
Rain holds off for last Saturday's Easter Egg Hunt in Walkerville
• Amanda Dodge/Echo
cape project began Monday, April 6, marking a major step forward in long-planned downtown improvements. Located at the intersection of State Street and Main Street, the project will transform the core of downtown into a more walkable, accessible and vibrant public space designed for both daily use and community events. The project focuses on modernizing infrastructure while creating a people-centered downtown environment. Improvements include expanded pedestrian space, decorative paving, enhanced lighting, outdoor seating and dining areas, improved crosswalk safety and a flexible event space overlooking Hart Lake. This work builds on years of planning and
• Connie VanDerZanden/Echo
Main Street in Hart community input and addresses aging infrastructure that has not been significantly updated since the 1980s. “This project reflects what we heard from the community: safer streets, more usable public space, and a downtown that supports both local businesses and community events,” said City Manager Nichole Kleiner. “The $1 million MEDC Revitalization and Placemaking Grant, the
ty, and $50,000 from the Hart Economic and Redevelopment Team made it possible for us to move this forward and make a meaningful investment in downtown Hart.” Temporary road closures and traffic adjustments will occur throughout the project area, particularly near the State and Main intersection. Visitors should expect periodic detours, limited parking, and changes to traffic patterns. Safe, clearly marked access to all businesses will be maintained throughout construction Residents and visitors are encouraged to continue supporting local businesses during this time. Construction is expected to continue through July 2026.
Water improvements progress in Hesperia By Scott Kroepel The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent In 2024, the Village of Hesperia approved a $23.7 million water improvements project, which includes a new well, water treatment plant, water mains, water meter replacements, lead service line replacements and improvements to the elevated water storage tank. The project is being funded through grants totaling approximately $20 million from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program, which incorporates several funding sources such as the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The village is also receiving a $3.7 million low-interest (1% over 30-40 years) loan from the DWSRF program, according to Village President Mike Farber. Additional upgrades included in the project are: • About 17,000 feet of aging asbestos water main will be replaced with new, larger water main lines for better flow, fire protection, water quality and help with water flushing capabilities. • Replace 163 outdated residential and 61 commercial water meters with new meters that provide radio remote read capabilities. • Replace service lines to alleviate concerns over lead and to meet the State of Michigan’s EGLE requirement that communities replace a minimum of 5% lead service lines annually, ahead of the State-mandated 2040 deadline, protecting the health and safety of village residents. • Interior and exterior improvements to the elevated water storage tank, in-
• Scott Kroepel/Echo
New water main along M-20 in Hesperia cluding new paint and other repairs and maintenance such as replacing discharge screens and roof vent. According to engineers Fleis & VandenBrink, as of early April 2026: • Water main work is more than 80% done, and crews are currently working on M-20 west of Division and Michigan streets. The water main on Oak and Spruce will be the last two areas of the new water main to be completed. • Cleanup, ditching and culvert installation is underway on Munn, Lizzie and Sunset streets. • The iron removal plant is nearly complete, and startup is expected in the first part of May. • The well and water system control upgrades are beginning this month. • Paving and lawn restoration work will begin as soon as weather permits. • No scope was deleted, but a new water main between the Sunoco gas station and the water storage tank on Division Street was added to the project. The new water main provides additional protection for health and safety of water customers and improves system reliability. The project is currently on time and on budget, with substantial completion in early July 2026 and final completion in August of 2026.