Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Bend approves design contract with Grindline for new skate park at Regner Park
Summary
The Board of Public Works and Common Council approved a roughly $50,830 design contract with Grindline Skateparks, funded by Friends of West Bend Skatepark and a $50,000 private commitment from Mike Nast; the city will use park impact fees and donations for later construction phases.
The Board of Public Works and the Common Council on Oct. 20 approved hiring Grindline Skateparks to design a proposed concrete skate park in Regner Park.
City staff said the design contract would cost about $50,830 and would be paid initially by the Friends of West Bend Skatepark, with a separate $50,000 pledge from donor Mike Nast to cover planning, design and marketing materials. The design scope includes planning sessions with staff and Friends of West Bend Skatepark, public input sessions, construction documents and phase cost estimates.
Parks staff told the board they solicited proposals from seven firms and received two; staff recommended Grindline based on experience. Grindline’s portfolio includes projects in Portage, Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Sun Prairie and Sheboygan. If approved, staff said the design process should be complete sometime in February, after which the city and partners will begin fundraising for construction across an anticipated three-phase build.
Council members asked about funding for construction. Parks staff said construction would rely on donations and park impact fees; the city attorney reviewed the plan and concluded park impact fees are applicable because the project would create a new amenity rather than replace an existing modular setup. Staff emphasized the city would not use property tax dollars for construction, and that staff time is the only municipal in-kind contribution anticipated during development.
Officials described Regner Park, adjacent to the existing sport court and near the Riverwalk and Ice House Trail, as a preferred site because it already has electricity and restrooms and a high level of daytime activity and visibility. Staff said they evaluated about 25 locations using 19 primary and secondary criteria including electricity, restrooms, parking, ADA access and visibility.
On uses and operations, staff said the facility would be open to the public like a playground but could host camps, programming and competitions in later phases; modest program fees are expected but staff did not describe any plan that would make the project self-funding.
The Board of Public Works approved the contract award by voice vote; the Common Council included the award on its consent agenda later the same evening.
