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Columbia County approves replacement of splash pad and dugout covers damaged in hurricane
Summary
The board approved contracts to replace damaged dugout covers and to replace a hurricane-damaged splash pad with a larger, above-ground system; staff said insurance claims were filed and the county expects some reimbursement.
Columbia County commissioners approved contracts March 18 to replace dugout covers at Riverside Park and to replace the splash pad at Evanstown Center Park after hurricane damage, county staff said.
The board approved an independent contractor agreement with Bliss Products and Services for replacement dugout covers at Riverside Park for $52,624, using the county's PCA contract, Community Services staff said. The board also approved a separate Bliss proposal to replace the splash pad at Evanstown Center Park; staff said the existing shore‑level electrical failures and underground issues made full replacement the recommended option.
"This proposal does increase the footprint by about 50% of the splash pad," Community Services staff said, adding the redesigned system will move components from underground to above-ground housings to improve maintainability. Staff said several splash-pad contractors recommended full replacement because of the existing design and repeated failures.
Staff told commissioners the splash pad and dugout repairs were filed with insurance and the county expects at least a portion of the costs to be reimbursed, but the exact reimbursement amount is not yet known. Staff estimated the existing splash pad — installed around 2011 — had reached its useful life; one meeting speaker noted life expectancies for such systems are generally 10 to 15 years.
County staff said, if approved, work could begin as soon as possible and staff is hoping to have the replacement splash pad open by August to provide about a month of use before seasonal shutdowns. The new configuration is intended to be easier to maintain and less susceptible to the underground failures that contributed to this damage.
The board approved both Bliss items on consent after staff presentation. Commissioners did not request additional studies before authorizing replacement; staff will proceed with contractual execution and coordinate insurance recovery efforts.
