Construction is in full swing for a project that many questioned would ever become a reality.

Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park, located at Posse Grounds Park, has been discussed for years but could soon be open.

“We have encountered typical construction challenges,” City Engineer Andy Dickey said. “However, the project team has done a good job of addressing the challenges and keeping the project on schedule.”

Construction began in May with a completion date scheduled for September.

Thanks to a 6-1 vote by the Sedona City Council on Tuesday, March 8, the Barbara Antonsen park will cost of just under $1.26 million.

Councilman John Martinez was the lone dissenting vote, stating that while he’s in favor of the park, he doesn’t agree with the amount being spent on it. The remaining members of the council felt since they had approved the long-awaited park, they need to do it right. And by doing so, it avoids higher construction costs later on.

While the project is now moving forward, its approval by council has been delayed due to construction costs coming in over budget. City staff and architects presented council with an updated plan than eliminates certain amenities at the park. The biggest cost-saving measure — nearly $200,000 — came by reducing the size of the steel louvered canopy above the stage by 40 percent. Despite that, the outdoor venue is still designed to seat at least 200 people.

Cottonwood trees will be planted and eventually will help produce shade, thus making up for the reduction in canopy size. A berm, which will be 11 feet higher than the stage, will help reduce noise during performances.

Council was presented with the modified plan that still came in at $1.26 million. The original amount budgeted for fiscal year 2016 was $863,736. With a council-approved price tag of $1.26 million, that means the remaining $395,486 will be budgeted for 2017.

Even though the concept of a park has been batted around for years, it almost came to fruition four years ago. On Aug. 14, 2012, a pavilion dome at the site collapsed during construction of the facility. Six months later council considered the resumption of construction of the dome and remainder of the park. A forensic engineering company was hired by the city and a report stated there were concerns with the dome design and construction practices. Based on the findings, council voted to not continue with the dome rebuild.

However, in summer 2014, council approved proceeding with negotiations with Westlake, Reed, Leskosky, LLC, for re-design of the project. Later that year, Loven Contracting Inc. was awarded the construction contact.

The majority of the park’s cost will be made up of the stage and canopy structure, lawn and sitting area, restrooms, dressing rooms and entry plaza court. The $1.03 million amount did not include a built-in audio system but did include the infrastructure for it. Council felt it was better to pay for the professionally-installed audio equipment instead of allowing those renting the venue to bring their own.

“It is great to see the design concepts coming to life,” Dickey said. “We are also happy to see the dreams of the Friends of Posse Grounds accomplished, in developing Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park.”