ALTON, Ill. — Investigative drilling is underway at Gordon F. Moore Park, the next step in remediation efforts after a large sinkhole swallowed portions of soccer fields at the park late last month.
Mayor David Goins said in a statement that as of Tuesday, the U.S. Mine Health Safety Administration granted permission for investigative drilling to begin under the park's access road.
"This crucial exploratory work commenced immediately upon notification," Goins said.
Mine subsidence from an underground mine owned by New Frontier Materials caused the 100-feet wide, 30-feet deep sinkhole to open up June 26 on the park's soccer fields; surveillance footage caught the moment it swallowed bleachers and a light pole.
The 704-acre park has been closed to the public since the sinkhole opened, with little word on when it could be expected to reopen.
"We had a productive day of drilling, completing a little over half the initial area," a New Frontier Materials representative said in a statement included in the city's news release. "We will continue drilling this week and plan to submit our findings to MSHA once all data is collected."
"Ensuring the safety of our residents and restoring Gordon Moore Park to its full capacity are my top priorities," Goins said. "We will continue to work diligently with all involved parties to achieve this goal."
A meeting was planned for later this week between Alton and New Frontier Materials to discuss progress and the next steps.
According to the Illinois State Geological Survey, more than 330,000 homes spread out across 201,000 acres in the state are in close proximity to active or old mine works.
