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West Bend finance committee grants permission to bid Regner Park beach renovation and aqua-park conversion
Summary
The Finance Committee approved permission to bid Contract 24-16 to renovate Regner Park swim pond, including dredging, new beach sand and an AquaGlide aqua-park; staff estimated a $344,500 pre-bid cost and described funding from donations, park-acquisition fees and existing accounts.
The Finance Committee on Oct. 21 voted to give staff permission to solicit bids for Contract 24-16, a proposed renovation of Regner Park swim pond that would prepare the pond to host a commercial aqua-park and preserve a section for general swimming.
Parks staff presented the plan and detailed estimated costs. Mike (parks staff) said the work would include dredging about 10,000 cubic yards of material, regrading the beach and adding roughly 3,200–3,250 cubic yards of sand. Equipment from AquaGlide would be purchased at a quoted price of $154,500; additional cameras and related electrical work were estimated at $10,000. He gave a total pre-bid estimate, including contingencies, of about $344,500.
Mike said the proposal would place aqua-park floats on about 60% of the pond, raising activity capacity at that footprint from 30 to about 140 patrons and leaving the eastern 40% of the pond for general swimming with a 0-depth entry and a gradual slope. The plan calls for required personal flotation devices on the aqua-park, lifeguard stations around the pond and a lifeguard station in the middle of the inflatables. He said the city planned two-hour swim intervals for the aqua-park at $8 per two-hour session (or $16 for four hours), a model he said was used in 2024.
On funding, Mike said the city had received a $50,000 donation from the West Bend Friends of Parks and Recreation and proposed using $32,877 remaining in an older summer-lunch-program account. He said the sale of an existing raft (estimated low end $5,000, with hopes for $10,000–$15,000) and use of park-acquisition/impact fees (about $256,620 identified) would cover remaining gaps; Mike also said the city was awaiting confirmation of a potential large donor that could reduce the draw on acquisition fees.
Council members asked about safety, equipment life and schedule. Mike said the city expects winter construction and that manufacturers estimate eight to 10 years of equipment life with proper maintenance; staff hope to get more than a decade by rotating parts and maintaining equipment. He said bids would be returned to the Common Council on Dec. 2 for possible award if bidding is authorized.
Alderman Sparks moved and Alderman Allen seconded permission to bid Contract 24-16; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
The next steps: staff will advertise the bid, return award recommendations to the Common Council on Dec. 2 if bids come in on schedule, and proceed with equipment purchases and installation only after council authorization to award.
