Elgin council adds toddler slide to Wing Park renovation; staff say schedule will accommodate delivery

The Elgin City Council on July 23 approved adding a new toddler slide from manufacturer Vortex to the Wing Park Family Aquatic Center renovation slated for 2025. City staff said the existing toddler slide has reached the end of its service life and that bundling the replacement with the larger renovation minimizes additional downtime and mobilization costs. The slide will add interactive water elements, gentle play zones and shaded areas aimed at families with young children. Councilmember Steffen asked about timing after staff noted work is scheduled to begin August 11 and that the vendor’s quote cited a delivery lead time of up to 16 weeks. A staff response to Steffen said the slide “will be able to fit the time schedule so it does open on time,” indicating the installation was planned to align with the overall renovation schedule. Councilmember Powell also thanked staff for coordinating the installation with other rehabilitation work to avoid an extra summer shutdown: “I appreciate the work the staff did to get this, scheduled when we're doing the other major rehabs so we can avoid having to shut down the pool in Wing Park during any summer season.” Action: A motion to approve the slide installation was moved and seconded and passed 9-0. What the council did not decide: The meeting record does not include a separate line-item contract price for the slide or a revised project budget; the council approved the addition as part of the renovation package.