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Central Plaza construction progressing; ice loop remains delayed
Summary
City staff and contractor Renrenk & Associates updated the Marion City Council on Central Plaza construction progress, saying major elements — canopy, lighting, depot finishes, splash pad and play turf — are complete or in progress; the outdoor ice loop is roughly a month behind schedule and no soft opening is anticipated this winter.
Jacob Pond, the city’s deputy city engineer, and Louie Rugio of Renrenk & Associates told the Marion City Council on Feb. 4 that work on the Central Plaza is nearing completion but the ice loop will not open this winter.
Contractors have finished canopy work and site lighting, completed depot interior finishes including floor polishing and restrooms, and installed play-structure turf, Rugio said. “So since we were here last, we completed all the canopy work, the rebuild of that. We've gone through all of the site lighting controls and training process there,” Rugio said.
The report said the depot’s refrigeration systems were fully charged to meet code and the chiller manufacturer will provide oversight when the system is powered. Decorative metal panels are installed, and sculpture foundations and external lighting have been ordered. Rugio said site donor signage was finalized and procurement was underway.
Council members pressed for timing on the ice loop after earlier plans for a January soft opening. Rugio said crews poured the loop concrete in three stages rather than one, and a delayed pour in December required a 30-day cure period under heated blankets, which pushed back the timeline. He said a final hold-up involved the dasher rail (handrail) fabrication, but that system had received signoff and was expected to arrive this month.
Because of those setbacks, staff said they do not anticipate a soft opening this winter. “At this time, not anticipating a soft opening,” Pond said, adding that the project team expects to begin ice testing in February into early March and that contractor-led additional installation and training are scheduled for next fall.
Council members asked about landscaping, fences and other finishing work. Pond said plant beds are fully irrigated and landscaping will proceed when weather allows; he estimated fencing removal by the end of the month and said he would supply a final date to council members. The skate shack is on site and will be placed in the spring, staff said.
Council members and staff discussed decorative panel openness required for condenser airflow and options for hydroseeding versus sod, with staff indicating sod may be used for quicker establishment.
The update closed with staff encouraging public construction updates via the city's project web page and continued coordination on remaining punch-list items.
