Finance Committee reviews bids for Citizens Park splash pad and concession stand as budget questions persist

The Burke County Finance Committee on July 2 reviewed competitive bids for a splash pad and a separate concession stand at Citizens Park and discussed how those offers fit with the county’s budget and other recreation priorities.

Committee members recorded splash-pad bids from Playground Creations ($199,410.79); Dominica Recreation (two options: $194,865.35 and $239,302.45); and Water Splash ($199,555.45). Concession-stand bids were recorded from Arentz Contracting ($483,000), Stewart Construction ($486,000) and C. Merrill Construction ($549,000).

County Manager Merv Waldrop said $350,000 is currently allocated in the General Fund for the project and additional funding could come from SPLOST IV. Recreation Director Stephen Waskey told the committee that recreation’s internal budget shows about $360,000–$380,000 available for the project, but he and Assistant County Manager Adam Flakes said a separate gymnasium project remains the department’s priority.

Facilities Director Josh Dailey said the package of splash pad, concession building and parking improvements could total closer to $1,000,000, a figure substantially higher than the committee’s $350,000 baseline. Waskey cautioned that the splash pad’s price could rise if the concession building is excluded, because the pump room for the splash pad was planned inside the concession structure.

Waskey said he will review the bid submissions and bring a recommendation to the Board on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Committee members discussed funding options including SPLOST V and noted a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is in process for a separate gymnasium project, which staff described as the higher-priority recreation investment at this time.

The committee took no final procurement vote on July 2 and deferred a recommendation until Waskey’s review is complete.