Park board flags nearly $1 million in Goldman Park costs; field-leveling quote to go to council

The Middletown Park Board on April 10 discussed escalating costs at Goldman Park, where building repairs, playground replacements and a quoted field-leveling project together push total spending close to $1 million.

The board’s financial summary showed about $732,000 carried into the year and new costs for building repairs and site improvements. “We had, like, I think, approximately 732,000 adjusted going into this year,” Scott (park board member) said while reviewing the updated financials. Board members said a contractor quoted about $351,000 to level the playing fields at Goldman, and two more bids were pending.

Why it matters: the field-leveling price is large enough that board members said council approval will be required. “At that price, it has to go to City Council for approval,” Scott said. Board members said they expect to present updated quotes to the Park Board at the next meeting and then refer a recommendation to City Council if they decide to move forward.

Board members and staff described multiple construction items already underway: a completed roof replacement and extensive electrical work inside the building, interior renovations by Hubert Contracting (reported contract $74,006.52), new restrooms previously installed, glass-blocking of windows, repairs for termite damage and replacement of one water-fountain unit. Staff reported additional unplanned electrical expense beyond the line item in the financials.

Contractor and operations details: park staff said electricians had to remove improperly run conduit on the roof before reinstalling wiring safely; the contractor’s initial approach had routed conduit across the roof and under insulation and shingles. Scott said the building work is nearly complete but that further electric tie‑ins and a replacement drinking fountain (estimated $1,500–$2,000) remain.

Playing-field impacts: park leaders noted field leveling must be timed around the July 1 schedule for seasonal play; the board suggested action be decided at the next meeting to meet construction windows. The board also flagged ancillary repairs—parking-lot striping, fence fixes, and sod protection during trash collection—that affect field usability and user groups such as Midway, which may need alternative fields if Goldman is taken offline.

Public-use concerns: a board member said some teams cannot play at Goldman because field size and configuration do not fit older age groups, and that Midway and other partners are coordinating use agreements for alternate fields.

Next steps: the Park Board will collect remaining bids for the leveling work, decide whether to recommend moving forward at the next board meeting, and, if approved by the board, forward the matter to City Council for formal approval because of the project’s scale.

Board comments included caution about combining several high-cost items from a single funding pot: “That’s probably close to a million dollars for Goldman,” Scott said, summarizing the combined scope of playground, building and field work.

Ending: The board set an expectation of updated bids and a formal council referral if a move-forward decision is made; no binding council action occurred at the April 10 meeting.