Town awards Memorial Park Phase 2 contract; will use grant and debt financing

Blowing Rock’s town council authorized awarding the Phase 2 Memorial Park contract on Feb. 11 to VPC Builders, the low bidder at $1,356,573. The council heard a staff and consultant presentation outlining Phase 2 work—tennis court resurfacing, a new picnic shelter, shuffleboard, upgraded playground and pickleball conversion for the lower basketball court—and a revised site grading and parking plan intended to reduce retaining‑wall costs.

Funding: The total project budget including contingency and engineering oversight was estimated at roughly $1.5 million. The town previously secured a $500,000 grant that must be expended by February 2026; staff recommended awarding the contract so construction could start within about 30 days if the bid were accepted. To cover the remaining cost (~$1,000,000), staff said the town will pursue debt financing options with debt consultants and present packaging options to council in the coming months.

Why it matters: Phase 2 addresses widely used recreation facilities and includes accessibility and circulation improvements. Bids returned more favorably under the scaled scope, and the chosen low bidder committed to a schedule compatible with the grant deadline.

Council action: Council moved, seconded and approved the award to VPC Builders and authorized staff to pursue debt financing to reimburse the town once the financing package is finalized. Staff signaled they expect to return with debt‑packaging options as soon as April 2025.

Next steps: Staff will finalize financial packaging and bring debt options to council; construction is expected to proceed quickly after contract award to meet the grant expenditure deadline.