A Nesquehoning park that closed to the public in September for renovations remains closed following delays, officials say.

On Wednesday, borough council discussed the Johnson and Jacobs Memorial Park renovation project, which kicked off in September with an original completion date in October. However, some unforeseen issues delayed some of the work, while other delays council isn’t quite sure why they happened.

Councilwoman Lois Kuba said she spoke with the workers who were at the park on Wednesday and asked them to at least move the blocks that have yet to be installed for the retaining walls off the street.

She pointed out that if the area got a major snowstorm and those blocks were in the street, it could create a big problem along West Railroad.

In addition, she said the workers told her that delays have occurred because the contractor hired for the job doesn’t call workers until the night before to tell them which job to go to.

“Maybe he won’t call them for a week,” she said. “We shut this park down in September.”

Kuba thanked the residents of that block for being patient during that time because the project is taking up about four parking spaces.

Mayor Tom Kattner voiced his concern over the quality of the work, not because of the workers themselves, but because of the fluctuating temperatures.

“They started doing the work and now we have had these cold mornings and that warm up,” he said. “I’m afraid that the walls will start doing a little bit of a jiggling act. Once you go from cold to warm, I’m afraid that wall is going to be moving.”

It’s not ideal temperatures to be doing it,” Kuba said, noting that the handicap ramp was also supposed to be poured Thursday. “The guys who are doing the work feel really bad.

“It’s not on them, but we are accountable on this to not only the residents but ourselves. This is hammering on for over three months up there. The finished product is going to be very nice, but you could have built a house in this time that they have been up there.”

Kuba said that residents should know that council has been on the company but there is only so much they can do to get it moving.

In July, council awarded the contract for the improvement project to LB/DB Construction, which bid $162,854.

The project had been scaled down from previous plans because of the cost, which went above what the borough had previously secured.

In other park matters, council reported that the light at New Columbus park has been installed and illuminates the park nicely.

Councilman Bruce Nalesnik also noted that they are gathering the information needed to apply for a grant for upgrades to New Columbus park. Council previously had a survey of the park completed in preparation of applying for grants.