By Tracy Overstreet
tracy.overstreet@theindependent.com

The first nine camper pads for a planned 50-stall development is being constructed at the Heartland Public Shooting Park at 6788 W. Husker Highway.

It's a development that will be created over time as money allows and demand dictates.

"It's no different than a subdivision phase it in see what demand is like," said Grand Island Parks and Recreation Director Steve Paustian.

Although the city always had plans to create the campground, actual development didn't begin until last year when the city approved a $15,000 contract with L & L Construction to provide the labor on the first nine concrete pads.

The city also approved a contract with Gerhold Concrete to provide the materials for the pads at a cost of about $12,000.

Paustian said Hooker Brothers Construction has completed the earthwork on the nine camper pads at a cost of $12,000.

The city council voted Tuesday night to extend electrical service to the first phase of construction. Middleton Electric has that contract for $20,770.

Other first-phase development includes a water well and water distribution lines by Robinson Well Drilling at a cost of $11,000, Paustian said.

The park makes a perfect spot for a campground because of the existing road infrastructure and layout of what was the former administration area of the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant, he said.

The campground already has a plentiful supply of mature trees cottonwood, locust, hackberry and a number of pine and cedar, Paustian said.

"We'll continue to plant new trees," he said. "It's not like starting from scratch. We've got trees to provide shade from the onset."

The campground plan at complete build out features six drive-through camper pads, a future shower house and restroom in the center of the park and a dump station.

Paustian said all of that future development will take place when and if demand warrants.

He's pegging overnight campground fees to be in the $15 range.

The campground will be open to the general public, but should also make a nice complement to the shooting sports, he said.

" A lot of the (shooting) events are more than one-day events," Paustian said. " A lot of people who like shooting, do shooting vacations and have trailers or motor homes."

One of those multi-day shooting events is coming up early this summer.

Grand Island was selected last year as the 2008 and 2009 host of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Foundation Invitational. It's a four-day youth shooting event that takes place the last week of June and brings in more than 400 competitors and their families.

Outdoor shooting events will take place at the Heartland Public Shooting Park, while indoor shooting events and the awards ceremonies will be in the Heartland Events Center.

"The plan is to have the campground up and running prior to the 4-H shoot," Paustian said.

In other action Tuesday the city council:

* Approved a no parking zone on both side of Adams Street from Second Street south to the alley. The parking ban will be in place overnights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to aid in the fuel and grocery deliveries to the Casey's General Store during the Second Street construction project.

* Approved extension a 20-inch water main that is currently in Old Potash Highway at the west side of the Copper Creek Estates development. The line would be extended to the west to Engleman Road and then to the north to 13th Street.