Plans for Collier Community Park are rapidly moving forward and work could begin on the former Nike Site military base by the spring.

“We’ve been planning this for ever,” Commissioner Kay Downey-Clarke said. “Now that we own (the site) we’re ready.”

During their workshop meeting Wednesday night, the Collier Township commissioners voted to request a $500,000 grant from the Allegheny County “gaming economic development fund.” If awarded that money, the township would put up an additional $250,000, which would be enough to get the first phase of the project off the ground.

“It’s another opportunity, with the other grants we’ve received, to fund Collier Park,” township Manager Sal Sirabella said.

The first phase would include a deck hockey rink, basketball courts, multi-purpose soccer fields, tennis courts and other areas for pickleball, horseshoes and volleyball. The expected cost for those amenities are $719,400, and that work could be put out to bid in February.

As news of the project spreads, some township residents have offered their opinions on what they want to see. Resident Mary Lou Kientz left a paper in the new community center during this month’s Oktoberfest and a few residents wrote down their thoughts that included a pool, dog park, sledding area, miniature golf course and even a small arms firing range.

“One woman was so enthusiastic about it that she wrote ‘pool’ five or six times,” Kientz told the commissioners.

Most of those ideas, however, are not in the design and unlikely to be included.

Township officials have met with engineers about the project and demolition of some of the military buildings could begin in February. If the project remains on schedule, the first phase could be completed by next fall.

Also during the meeting…

The commissioners are expected to pass the township’s 2012 preliminary budget next month. The tentative budget has no plans for a tax increase.