Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Park Board to purchase 'aqua chairs' for disabled kids at the new splash pad

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By KEVIN NEVERS

A week after ground broke on the new splash pad at Chesterton Park, work is well under way.

As Superintendent Bruce Mathias reported to the Park Board at its meeting Tuesday night, recent rains have forced the crew to adjust the normal installation schedule but good progress is being made anyway. To date, both the splash pad’s water tank and control vault have been put into the ground, and the crew is currently arranging for electric, water, and sanitary service.

“They’ve gotten a lot done,” Mathias said, then added that he expects the splash pad to be in full operation by June.

In related business, members voted unanimously to spend up to $2,000 on a pair of waterproof “aqua chairs”--constructed of PVC and other impervious materials--to give disabled kids a chance to enjoy the splash pad.

The splash pad was purchased from low bidder Splash Zone of Mesa, Ariz., for $104,686, financed through a $2-million bond issued late in 2015. Cost of installation: an additional $195,770.

Playground Equipment

Meanwhile, members voted unanimously to go out for bid on synthetic fall-protection turf to be installed under new playground equipment at Dogwood, Chesterton, and Olde Towne parks. The estimated cost of the turf: $250,000.

Mathias did say that he’s hopeful, if the price is right, of obtaining anti-static turf, noting that the Park Department has received several complaints in the past from folks who sustained static-electric shocks after walking across older generation turf.

Members also voted unanimously to award the contract for installing the playground equipment at the three parks to low-quoter Hacienda Landscaping of Plainfield, Ill. Hacienda’s quote: $82,000.

The playground equipment in question has already been delivered to the Park Department. Total cost of the three sets: $242,906.

Dogwood Restroom

Members voted unanimously as well to authorize Mathias to solicit quotes from three responsible contractors for the installation of a concrete foundation for the new restroom facility at Dogwood Park. Estimated cost of the foundation: $25,000 to $50,000, well below the $150,000 statutory threshold at which the work must be bid out.

The old restroom won’t be demolished and removed until the new one--purchased from Concrete Modular Systems Inc. of St. Petersburg, Fla., at a cost of $138,140--has been installed and is fully operational, Mathias said. The new facility will be “set back a little from where the current one is.”

Donation

Members took a moment at the end of the meeting to express their gratitude to Mary Paulson for her donation of $100 to the Park Gift Fund, in memory of the late Roy Flaherty, a long-time member of the Park Board and a long-time friend of Chesterton’s parks.

Shinn on the Bond Projects

Member Paul Shinn had this to say about the flurry of activity and energy generated by the bond issue: “We’ve got a lot of projects going on this year. That’s great. I think our costs are staying under control. Good job to all.”

 

Posted 4/5/2017

 
 
 
 

 

 

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