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Parks commissioners recommend GameTime to meet Area 21 playground grant deadline
Summary
After reviewing a cheaper vendor with limited municipal references and possible installation delays, Dayton City parks staff recommended— and commissioners supported— taking the incumbent supplier (GameTime) to the City Council so the $100,000 grant can be used before May 2026.
Dayton City parks staff told commissioners on Aug. 3 that a newly solicited vendor offered a lower price for Area 21 playground equipment but lacked municipal references and may not be able to complete installation in time to meet a grant deadline.
Marty, a parks staff member, said council members asked staff to investigate alternate suppliers. He reported that the alternative (Pro Play/Pro Playgrounds) provided references that were primarily nonmunicipal (a church, an early-learning center and an apartment complex); one municipal reference described installation difficulties and shifting crew dates. "They were very happy with the sales people and they had some issues with getting the installation done," Marty said.
Staff further told commissioners the grant that will help fund the project is capped at $100,000 and "has to be used by May 2026," creating a tight timeline for procurement and installation. The supplier the city originally selected (GameTime) reported a timeframe that could still allow installation this year; staff said the alternate vendor’s installation crew was booked into next spring.
Commissioners emphasized timing and reliability over marginal cost savings. "I'd rather have somebody that's done good work for us to continue to do good work for us instead of ... being physical, responsible is always great," one commissioner said, expressing a preference for the incumbent supplier. Another commissioner noted the potential fiscal risk if the city accepted a lower bid and subsequently could not use the full grant: "If we end up losing the grant, well, then we're out $85,000 instead of $25,000," reflecting that under-running the grant could leave the city to cover more of the total cost.
Staff recommended taking the GameTime option to the council; the commission offered that recommendation for the city council's consideration. No formal procurement decision was made at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will present the recommendation and procurement details to the City Council for approval and ensure timing aligns with the grant’s May 2026 expiration.
