It will now be more comfortable for residents and visitors to use shelter house #5 at Gunn Park throughout the year after Norris Heating and Air Conditioning donated and installed an air unit in the building.

The city of Fort Scott recognized and thanked the local business Thursday with a plaque on the wall of the shelter house during the businesses customer appreciation lunch.

“We appreciate your business here in Fort Scott and we appreciate your community support,” Fort Scott Mayor JoLynne Mitchell said.

City Manager Dave Martin said it is businesses like Norris Heating and Air Conditioning that help smaller cities like Fort Scott thrive by being active in the community and supporting it in whatever ways they can.

“It’s very nice and I know it’s being used by a lot of people,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said of the addition to the shelter, pointing out it has already been used for events this summer.

Andy Norris said his family and their business has been a part of the city of Fort Scott for many years and they were happy to have the opportunity to provide heating and air for the shelter house, a goal of the city for the past five or six years.

“The park means a lot to us,” Norris said. “The community means a lot to us.”

The business also used the event as a chance to express their appreciation to the “best customers,” according to Norris, who said those customers have made it possible for the Norris family to continue the business, earn a living and serve the community.

Norris’ father Phillip also expressed his gratitude to the city for making the park so attractive to visitors through their maintenance and other improvements.