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Council approves $~522,000 renovation to add indoor playground at Veterans Memorial Community Center
Summary
The council authorized a resolution and budget to convert the Bridal Side Room into a three‑level indoor playground (structure + room work + fire suppression and electrical), with a project cost around $521,000 and staff saying available CIP savings cover the allocation; staff projected modest annual revenue.
The Inver Grove Heights City Council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the renovation of the Bridal Side Room at the Veterans Memorial Community Center to install a three‑level indoor playground and to appropriate the project budget from identified CIP savings.
Parks and Recreation Director Adam Ottis presented the design, operational approach and budget. Staff described required room improvements — a second entrance/exit, fire suppression upgrades, new floor‑to‑ceiling windows, electrical work and ceiling fans — that raised the cost above the project’s original $350,000 estimate. Ottis provided an itemized breakdown: playground structure and installation approximately $360,000; room improvements about $88,000; fire suppression $24,000; electrical $24,000; vinyl wrap and signage ~$10,000; contingency $14,000 — totaling roughly $521,000. Ottis said existing CIP cost savings left roughly $522,000 available to fund the project.
Ottis said the playground vendor is Softplay (procured through Sourcewell) and staff visited multiple similar facilities during due diligence. The design targets children 10 and under with a dedicated 2‑to‑5 area, multiple slides and obstacle features; staff described safety surfacing and cleaning/maintenance expectations and said initial operations should be covered by current staff levels with spot checks and weekly cleaning cycles.
Council members questioned seating, electrical outlets, staffing and projected revenue. Ottis said lobby workspaces would accommodate limited device charging and that the city expects conservative annual revenue of $50,000–$70,000 initially, with potential to rise as birthday‑party packages and memberships are developed.
A motion to approve the renovation and associated budget passed on roll call. Staff estimated construction work to be completed by February, playground installation to begin in March and an opening in May or June 2026 if schedules hold.
The resolution authorizes staff to proceed with project implementation and to use identified CIP savings to fund the work.
