With the Trenton Family Aquatic Center having just completed its 16th season, the Trenton Park Board will have to start spending some money to keep the facility in good shape. That spending began on Wednesday evening with the board approving the repair of the lily pad walkway to the tune of almost $10,000.
Park Superintendent Jason Shuler said he has been researching the cost of repairing or replacing the nine lily pads that make up the floatable walkway between the diving area and the slide area at the aquatic center. What he found, he reported to board members, is that only one company, BoMar of Ft. Dora, FL actually repairs and makes the floatables. The cost to repair the nine lily pads is estimated at $800 each or $7,200 for all nine. It will cost another $2,000 for shipping. Board members approved having the floatables repaired at a cost not to exceed $10,000 as opposed to spending approximately $18,000 plus shipping to purchase new floatables. Board members felt that the budget dictates that the repair option be utilized with hopes that the floatables can last another 10 years or so.
After a discussion it was agreed to not replace or repair the large floatables located in the zero-entry pool at this time due to the cost and the fact that they are not as popular as the lily pad walkway. Three of the four floatables in that area would cost $4,900 each, while the fourth one would cost $1,900 to replace. It was agreed to see if they can last a few more years before having to be removed.
Board members didn’t leave out other areas of the park system when approving expenditures as they accepted a bid for a new play structure for Moberly Park. Miracle Recreation Equipment Company had submitted two bids for a structure to replace the one at the lower portion of the park behind the aquatic center. One bid was for $12,224, while the other was for $13,470.72 and board members voted to accept the bid for the more expensive structure due to it being sturdier and having bigger poles. Board members felt the more expensive structure would last longer and give more “bang for their buck.” The board had budgeted $12,000 for the structure in the 2018 budget. It was noted that the installation cost for the structure is $6,314. Board members chose not to accept bids submitted by Miracle and BSN Sports for three picnic tables, but will look at that again in March when they can see if there is money left in the budget.
The equipment being removed from Moberly Park to make room for the new structure is being sold by sealed bid, with bids due at city hall on Sept. 12. Shuler noted that the successful bidder will be required to remove the structure within two weeks of the bid being accepted. A special meeting will likely be held to accept a bid.
Board member Gary Schuett thanked the Trenton FFA for helping to water the trees that were planted on school grounds and noted that he will be providing some instruction to students in the Trenton High School agriculture program on how to care for trees. He also said tree planting will begin soon and the tree plans for Moberly and Eastside parks will be completed. He said there will still be trees in the nursery that has been established by the park department.
In his report to the board, Shuler said nine concrete tee pads and one picnic table pad have been poured at the disc golf course located at Moberly Park. He said the Trenton Street Department hauled in 10 loads of black dirt to be used at the course and the areas have been seeded. Other work at Moberly Park includes cleaning the mold and dirt off the basketball court and removing the spiral slide, which will be installed at Gladys Grimes Park. He said the bathroom at Gladys Grimes Park has been painted by Payden McCullough as an Eagle Scout project. Updates are also being done at the Burleigh Grimes Field restroom facility, which is closed during the process. Shuler noted that the new bongo jungle climber has been installed at Eastside Park.
The board is scheduled to meet in regular session again at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at city hall.
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