As part of the next phase of a proposed new city pool and park complex, the Warrenton Board of Aldermen approved a $21,600 bat survey at its June 7 meeting.The board’s unanimous approval of the bat survey comes as the city plans to install a new park and pool complex that would be constructed in phases and feature a future recreation center, indoor and outdoor pool, amphitheater, ADA approved fishing dock, dog park and various other amenities.Construction of those amenities will have to wait until city finalizes studies through the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure construction does not greatly impact local wildlife.“The next piece of the puzzle is to complete the requirements to get all of the environmental work done,” Warrenton Director of Operations Terri Thorn said. “The first step of that, as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife is a bat survey.”Thorn said the first survey would involve trees in the area of the park, located between the Warrior Avenue Extension and Bruno Parkway, to see if Indiana bats frequent the area.“If in fact they catch Indiana bats in their nets, there is a requirement that they equip them with radio tracking devices and track back to find their roosteries and how many bats emerge from that area and complete a more thorough report to fish and wildlife,” Thorn said.“If there are no Indiana bats caught, then that would be the end of the study and the report would be over,” he said.The city has until Aug. 15 to complete the study. The first phase will cost the city $11,250. The second phase will cost an additional $10,350 should any Indiana bats be found, plus additional equipment costs.“It (the survey) is required for everyone,” Thorn said. “It’s not just because it’s the city. It’s because it’s a wooded area and this applies to any wooded area … It’s been in place for a while.”City of Warrenton