Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council OKs $17.4M construction contract for Dukarski Park Phase 2
Summary
The council authorized a construction contract not to exceed $17,410,193 for Dukarski Park Phase 2, plus inspection and equipment purchases; the project adds four full-size fields, an adaptive play area, substantially more parking and a new concessions building.
Derby City Council on Feb. 25 authorized construction of Dukarski Park Phase 2, approving a construction contract not to exceed $17,410,193, inspection services up to $1,162,825, and purchases of artificial turf, site furnishings and appliances totaling $813,524. The combined action passed 7-0.
Parks Director Steve White said the overall park is 63 acres, with phase 1 comprising about 30 acres and phase 2 about 33 acres. "Phase 1 was 30 acres. Phase 2 is 33 acres," White said during his presentation, and he described the scope of amenities planned: four additional ball fields (230 feet down the foul lines and to center), an adaptive play field designed for users with mobility or vision impairments, a warm‑up field, four additional batting cages, a substantially enlarged parking area (approximately 763 additional stalls in addition to the existing 254), two additional picnic shelters, a bi‑level concessions building with video feeds to monitor fields, satellite restrooms and enhanced security camera coverage.
White and the project team described site features and accessibility measures: dugout and restroom access points will be widened to 42 inches to accommodate mobility devices; an elevator is included in the concessions building; the playground will be centrally located between the warm‑up field and Field 5. Staff said they prequalified contractors for the project and received an aggressive low bid from Donlinger Construction.
The motion approved by council authorized the issuance of bonds for payment of the project cost and allowed the city manager to enter the agreements and purchase contracts described above. Council members discussed parking, irrigation and long‑term maintenance. Staff told the council they will install five deeper wells as part of irrigation plans for phase 2; council members asked staff to evaluate water‑reuse/purple‑pipe options and to monitor well success given local groundwater variability.
Council members also previewed future policy choices tied to the park’s operation: staff said they are exploring an application process to allow alcohol sales at the new complex (the city would need to change local ordinances and coordinate state licensing) to generate offsetting revenue for long‑term field maintenance.
The council approved the motion to proceed (7-0). Staff indicated a 3% project contingency was included in the recommended award and that staff plans to buy some equipment direct (turf, furnishings) to reduce GC mark‑ups.
