The Salina City Commission voted Sept. 22 to authorize a project for design, purchase and installation of a new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Memorial Park, awarding the work to ATHCO LLC for a total project authorization of $709,165.

Jeff Hammond, director of parks and recreation, told the commission staff moved from a rejected sole bid in late 2024 to a request‑for‑proposals targeted at manufacturers. ATHCO’s proposal — the highest‑scoring under the RFP scoring matrix — called for a roughly 2,800 square‑foot recirculating splash pad with 17 features, an above‑ground mechanical building for equipment access, a 5‑foot perimeter sidewalk and comprehensive staff training. The manufacturer’s base equipment price in the city packet was $640,896; city costs, a 5 percent contingency and the removal of an optional $9,100 digital art panel brought the total project authorization requested to $709,165. Staff said the per‑square‑foot construction cost is about $253, and the Park Improvement Capital Fund balance is approximately $1.5 million.

Hammond explained staff sought vandal‑resistant materials, automated chemical control, sand filtration and accessible surfacing. ATHCO representative Matt Klein said the company is a long‑time U.S. manufacturer representative based in Lenexa and that Aquatics components are built in Delano, Minnesota; Klein described warranties (long‑term warranties on above‑grade components) and local post‑install support.

Commission discussion covered procurement and art. The governing body found that using a best‑value approach (Salina Code Section 2‑2‑35(c)) to select a manufacturer/installer was in the public interest because the RFP emphasized durability, warranty and operational cost over the single lowest bid. Staff removed the digital art wall from the delivery package because the public‑art selection and approval process governed by the city’s Arts & Humanities coordinator and the Community Art and Design Board would not align with the equipment manufacturer’s production timeline.

The commission approved the project authorization by voice vote; the clerk recorded a unanimous 5‑0 vote in favor. Staff said the tentative timetable — subject to manufacturing lead times and weather — targets substantial completion in mid‑April 2026 to allow May operation; manufacturing and lead times could allow a March site start if weather permits. Staff will finalize submittals and production schedules, perform geotechnical testing and prepare final utility connections and site preparation before installation.

The project includes staff responsibilities for final utility connections, compaction testing to a 95 percent standard and site restoration. Staff will return to the city manager to fulfill purchasing prerequisites and issue a purchase order in line with the city’s procurement policy.