City Commissioners awarded a $210,931.50 contract for a splash pad at the Electric City Water Park during their Feb. 6 meeting.

Staff recommended approval of the contract to Play Space Designs for the purchase and installation of a splash pad package in the current baby pool area at the water park.

City to consider splash pad contract

The project is being funded by Community Development Block Grant funds since the project serves the general population and falls within a low to moderate income area.

Commissioners approved the CDBG funding agreement in July 2022.

Splash pad decision delayed

The baby pool area has several mechanical and operational deficiencies and because of the depth, must be staffed by a lifeguard, so staff recommends converting it into a splash pad, saving roughly $10,000 per season since it won’t need a lifeguard.

Park and Recreation staff have been working over the last year to get quotes for the splash pad project.

City requesting CDBG funds to convert baby pool to splash pad at water park

They received two quotes from companies, but those were withdrawn after contractors were unable to subcontract locally for concrete work, according to staff.

Staff contacted Play Space Design, a company identified through Sourcewell, the city’s cooperative purchasing resource. Play Space, as part of their parent company Poligon, went through Sourcewell’s request for proposals process in 2021 and was included as a vetted company to provide tubular metal structures and play equipment for local government entities, according to staff.

The company worked with city staff to identify the water park needs and provide a design that fits city needs and within the CDBG funding agreement budget.