The Marshall City Council approved an amendment to the aquatic center construction to add a land‑based playground near the splash pad. Staff said the opportunity came late in the procurement cycle but offered a substantial discount (effectively a 50% match) from the supplier and an anonymous donor pledged funds toward the purchase.

Preston Stendrude said the playground would sit outside the fenced pool area near the splash pad so it could be used year‑round (weather permitting) without pool admission. He said staff would perform sidewalk adjustments not included in the supplier quote and install engineered wood fiber safety surfacing; staff stated the engineered wood fiber is fully ADA compliant.

The price discussion in the meeting noted a quoted total of about $172,000 with a donor match of roughly $85,000; additional material tariff surcharges and freight raised the remaining purchase amount to about $103,000. Staff said delivery would occur in 2026 and installation would follow as weather and construction schedules allow.

Sharon Hansen, city administrator, told council the project has roughly $800,000 in pledged donations and a construction contingency; staff consider this playground an enhancement to the overall aquatic center project and recommended spending donor funds and contingency as appropriate. Council members on the aquatic center committee supported the addition and the council approved the amendment by roll call vote.

Staff noted that some donors specified uses for their contributions and that, if council seeks additional enhancements, staff could consult donors before reallocating funds; demolition of the old pool was discussed as a future budgeted task the council might revisit.

Council instructed staff to proceed with procurement and installation under the project’s change‑order policy and to coordinate final donor accounting and installation scheduling.