Winter Haven City staff asked the commission to approve a $1,200,000 change order to the Chain of Lakes Park Phase 2 construction contract and a third amendment to an interlocal agreement with Polk County to split the cost.

The project would add roughly 358 parking spaces — 233 paved and 125 stabilized-grass stalls — on the southwest corner of the park, plus sodding of a ‘‘great lawn,’’ landscaping, trees and a fountain for the retention pond. City Manager said the work is intended to address recurring parking constraints at the field house and new baseball fields and that ‘‘a lot of this work, some of the site work, has already been addressed’’ on site.

‘‘The third amendment to the interlocal agreement allows for Polk County to provide $600,000 of that cost to us, and the city will be required to pay the additional $600,209,’’ staff told the commission. Funding for the city portion is included in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Staff recommended completing most work before the 2026 Russ Mat Invitational, which is scheduled in early spring.

Why it matters: limited parking has constrained programming at the field house and nearby athletic facilities, and staff said the additional spaces and green-space amenities are intended to support events and regular use. The contract change covers construction manager at risk work with RADA Construction; the commission previously approved a guaranteed maximum price amendment for the project on Nov. 12, 2024.

What’s next: staff recommended the commission authorize execution of the third amendment with Polk County and approve the change order with RADA. If approved, construction-phase activity will be coordinated to meet the event timeline.