Sumner staff recommend demolition of aging skate park; low bid about $102,000, new facility estimated near $1 million

Sumner City staff told the City Council on Sept. 22 that the city’s concrete skate park at the sports complex has widespread structural issues, has been closed since fall 2024 for public safety, and staff recommend demolition and site grading to mitigate ongoing liability while the city explores replacement options.

City Administrator Jason Wilson reviewed the park’s history: the city acquired the land in 2001 and installed the concrete bowls in the 2000s. Over time the park suffered vandalism, water intrusion and repeated settling; assessments by skate-park contractor Grindline concluded the facility was in “poor end of life” condition. Grindline estimated about $182,000 to rehabilitate the bowl with an uncertain useful life of up to five years; a new skate-park construction estimate is approximately $1,000,000.

Wilson said demolition and grading are the two practical ways to mitigate risk. The city solicited demolition bids and received 12; the low bid was about $102,000 and, with contingency, the total recommended demolition contract amount was reported as just under $115,000. Staff recommended funding the demolition from the general fund balance and said they will present the contract award for council action at the next regular meeting.

Council members asked about usage patterns, alternate locations and soil/ drainage quality. Wilson said the park had been heavily used in earlier years but was often locked after vandalism and that users sometimes rode scooters or bicycles in the concrete bowls. He said a pump track is an above-ground, asphalt-style circuit and would be constructed differently from an embedded concrete bowl; staff noted a pump track could be sited at other parks such as Sieben or Heath complex subject to future master-plan work and engineering.

Council member Alpers asked about the demolition fill material and drainage; staff said the contractor will supply fill and the city will review its source and quality as part of the contract. When asked about budget impact, staff said the general fund balance was adequate to cover the demolition contract. Wilson noted that maintenance after demolition would likely be simpler and less costly than ongoing repairs to a concrete skate bowl.

No formal vote was taken at the study session; staff said they will bring a contract award and funding authorization to the next council meeting for a formal decision.