Parks staff on July 17 summarized progress on capital projects and operations changes across the park system.

Construction: Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Staff reported steady progress: interior framing shows layout of multipurpose spaces and party rooms, glazing and natatorium work advancing, and finishing work ongoing for the wellness pool. Staff confirmed design adjustments for accessible features: two large universal locker rooms will include motorized changing tables; staff relocated diaper-changing tables to lobby restrooms and added a roll-in shower to one universal locker room to improve accessibility.

Stephen El Shanker Plaza. Staff said they are negotiating remaining contract issues, awaiting a contractor report on the spray pad’s water-flow problems and planning fall planting to replace dead vegetation. Confluence, the project designer, and the contractor will meet in person to resolve outstanding surface and landscape items.

Mini pitch and neighborhood features. The commission set a ribbon-cutting for the new mini pitch on Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. Staff secured a $20,000 Delta Dental grant to add a drinking fountain adjacent to the pitch and are installing evergreen trees on the south end to reduce balls going onto Bloomington Road. Staff recommended neighborhood use of futsal balls (smaller, less-errant) and said they will provide some balls at the ribbon-cutting.

Furman Aquatic Center operations. Staff said so far this season Furman has not reduced hours or amenities because of lifeguard shortages; cancellations to date are weather-related. Staff credited recruitment and retention work and said they are planning for known late-summer staff transitions as students depart.

Other items. The ice arena received a new radiant heating system to increase spectator comfort; three larger projects recently advanced to council for contract award (Daly Park splash pad, parks maintenance facility expansion, and Ada Hayden path replacement with concrete); staff said soil testing continues for site work and no contamination has been found to date.

Next steps: staff will continue construction oversight, pursue contractor resolutions for the plaza, finalize mini pitch finishing work (metering, drinking fountain installation), and bring project updates to the commission as items progress.