West Bend board approves design contract for Regner Park skate park

The West Bend Board of Public Works voted Tuesday to award a design contract to Grindline Skateparks Incorporated for a proposed skate park at Regner Park.

City parks staff said the contract would cover planning and design sessions, public input meetings, construction documents, marketing materials and cost estimates for a three‑phase build. "We would also like to thank Mike Nast who has committed $50,000 towards this project," a parks staff member said, referring to a private donation that will help fund the design work. The parks staff member said the design contract amount would be about $50,830 and would be paid for by the Friends of West Bend Skatepark.

The contract follows a request for proposals sent to seven skate‑park designers; staff received two proposals and recommended Grindline based on its local experience. "Grindline has been in the skate park industry for over 20 years," the staff member said, citing projects in Portage, Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Sun Prairie and Sheboygan. If approved, staff said they would begin work with Grindline and the Friends of West Bend Skatepark immediately; the design process "should be completed sometime in February." After design, the city plans a fundraising campaign to raise construction funds.

City staff said construction funding would come from donations and park impact fees; the city attorney reviewed the request and determined park impact fees could be used because the proposal is for a new amenity rather than a rebuild of an existing facility. Staff emphasized there would be no property‑tax levy for the project: "No property tax or tax dollars towards this project. Just staff time during the development, fundraising, things like that," the staff member said.

Staff described the proposed site as Regner Park, east of the existing sport court, citing 19 site‑selection criteria including electricity, restrooms, parking, visibility and ADA access. The parks staff noted the city evaluated about 25 potential locations before selecting Regner Park. While the design contract is roughly $50,830, staff estimated the full construction cost would be "north of $500,000," and therefore plan to stage work over three phases so that fundraising can match construction stages.

Alderman Seizer moved to approve the contract award; Alderman Zingzine seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote. After the vote the chair said, "Motion carried. Thank you, Mike." The parks staff member confirmed the city will begin design work immediately and then move to a public fundraising campaign to complete the multi‑phase project.

The agreement to hire Grindline covers only design and planning work; construction contracts and final budgets for any phase will require future approvals and funding commitments.