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Community Services Advisory Board names Playmore its top pick for Cambier Park playground
Summary
After three vendor presentations, the board voted 3–2 to recommend Playmore West as the top design for Cambier Park and ranked Game Time second and Miracle Recreation third; the recommendations will be forwarded to City Council for contract award and negotiation.
The Community Services Advisory Board on April 21 recommended Playmore West as its first-choice designer for the Cambier Park playground, voting 3–2 to forward the board’s ranking to City Council.
The decision followed three detailed presentations from shortlisted firms — Miracle Recreation, Game Time (PlayCore/Playcor), and Playmore — and nearly four hours of questions about design, shade, accessibility and cost. Community Services Director Chad Merrick framed the board’s role as evaluative: the RFP set design and accessibility requirements (including no water features), and vendors were asked to submit customizable proposals that could be negotiated to meet the budget.
Playmore’s proposal emphasized hand-sculpted GFRC (glass-fiber-reinforced concrete) mounds, an ADA-accessible pathway built into play mounds, an 8-foot “mighty descent” slide and a mix of pour-in-place rubber surfacing and turf. Luke Russell, Playmore’s president, said the company can meet the RFP goals while offering a shaded option that would put the total near $2.2 million and a no-shade option that would come in under the board’s $2.0 million baseline. “We can absolutely get this project done for you,” Russell said.
Board members who supported Playmore cited the company’s combination of accessibility, durability and a design that maximizes play value within the site. A motion to make Playmore the board’s number-one recommendation carried 3–2.
Members who opposed the motion said they favored Game Time’s immersive centerpiece tree and found its storytelling approach compelling but raised practical concerns. One committee member said the large sculpted tree in Game Time’s concept “will be an absolute sauna baking in there” without substantial shade, and noted that adding shade would increase the price. Jim Lasseter of Game Time acknowledged the design’s higher initial price, told the board his firm’s redesign landed at about $2.5 million, and said the scope and cost were negotiable if the city sought to reduce heat exposure through added shade elements.
The board also ranked Game Time as its second choice by a subsequent vote and placed Miracle Recreation third. Miracle’s presentation stressed inclusive play elements, refurbishing existing shade frames, poured-in-place surfacing and a warranty structure the vendor said would include an extended installation warranty for the project. Miracle’s representative noted their package was intentionally priced just under the $2.0 million RFP target.
Next steps: the board’s ordered recommendation (Playmore No. 1, Game Time No. 2, Miracle No. 3) will be transmitted to City Council, which will consider the ranking and oversee final negotiations, engineering and contract award. Staff told the board that final design tweaks and negotiations will be used to bring proposals in line with budget constraints if necessary.
