Parks staff gave the commission a multi‑project update, reporting progress at the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, updates on contamination monitoring, and schedules for several park construction and maintenance projects.

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center: Staff described visible construction progress—walls, ductwork and decking—since a June tour and said much of the parking lot concrete is poured. Staff said they are working to add fiber connectivity through the state ICN network so the Furman Aquatic Center can access city fiber and avoid intermittent outages that have previously affected admissions and concessions. Staff suggested a possible site tour for commissioners in October or November.

Contamination monitoring: Staff said most excavation at the Fitch site is complete and that, so far, groundwater and soil testing have not found contamination. Vapor barriers and other precautions remain in place, and staff characterized the finding of no contamination to date as a positive development.

Steven Shanker Plaza and ice ribbon: Staff reported ongoing negotiations with Henkel and that staff expect a response by the end of the following week; council approval will be required before any resolution to open the ice ribbon this winter.

Ada Hayden path replacement: Contractor Caliber Concrete has milled the existing path and will begin base leveling; crews plan to pour concrete after Labor Day with a project deadline in October. Staff warned the milled path is a construction zone and asked users to avoid it while work continues.

Daley Park Splash Pad: Council awarded a contract to TK Concrete of Pella; preconstruction meetings were positive and staff expect embeds and concrete work to be in place before winter so equipment installation can occur next spring with a completion goal of June 1.

Parks maintenance facility and bulk water station: King Knutson Construction will build a new cold storage maintenance facility and renovate the parks maintenance building; staff said the bulk water station will be relocated and that the bulk water service will be temporarily unavailable for about three weeks during construction. Free mulch distribution from the tree debris pile will be suspended while facilities are relocated.

Staff asked the public to heed construction signage and noted that keeping contractors free of having to chase pedestrians will shorten construction timelines. No votes were taken; these were informational updates and scheduling notices.