Commission tables decision on turf installation at Kent pool after receiving $8,600 installation estimate

City staff presented a quote from Thornton Flooring to install artificial turf within two non-concrete areas inside the fenced portion of Kent Pool. The presentation outlined maintenance concerns with natural grass inside a pool fence (mowing, clippings in the water, filter impacts) and described the turf installation as including substantial ground prep (gravel/aggregate base) to assure drainage.

During discussion, staff said the supplier quoted about $8,600 for turf material and $7,700 for 50-pound bags of sand referenced in the estimate; another line item for ground-prep removal and related work was discussed in the range of about $18,000. Staff estimated the largest turf area as about 2,200 square feet. Commissioners and staff explored lower-cost alternatives including concrete, rock or reduced ground-prep if city crews could perform removal work, while noting accessibility and maintenance trade-offs.

Given the number of variables and interest in getting additional local quotes and possibly performing some ground-prep in-house to reduce cost, the commission voted to table the turf purchase and directed staff to solicit more quotes and explore cost-saving measures. The transcript records a motion to table that passed on a roll-call vote.