Marshall Council approves concessions equipment and authorizes demolition bidding for old aquatic center

The Marshall City Council approved a quote for concession-stand equipment for the new Marshall Aquatic Center and authorized staff to advertise for demolition bids for the old aquatic center at 400 West College Drive.

Preston Stentrode of the parks department presented the equipment quotes and said the city had budgeted $60,000 for concessions. He reported the most recent vendor quote at $60,003.76, which included delivery and training; an earlier figure in the packet showed $60,407 and Preston explained pricing changed after an updated supplier quote. Council members moved to award the quote to Performance Food Service and the motion passed by roll-call vote.

Preston also described the demolition scope for the old aquatic center: removal of pool basins, decks, light poles, fencing, and the filling of deep manholes and basins to return the site to ground level. He said a public input survey conducted in 2023 generated about 550 responses and that playgrounds were the top preference, but he emphasized there is currently no funding mechanism identified for future amenities at the site. The Public Improvement and Transportation (PINT) committee unanimously recommended proceeding to bid the demolition; the council voted to authorize advertising for bids, with demolition tentatively scheduled for late fall or early winter depending on weather.

Council members discussed budget alignment as bids come in; Preston noted some line items (for example PA system) were under budget, and staff allowed a small buffer when submitting quotes to account for cost variability. The decisions were procedural procurement steps intended to keep the aquatic center project on schedule; no final design or funding decisions for redeveloping the former pool site were made at the meeting.

"We're still working through it," Preston said about quotes and construction timelines. "We do have a $60,000 budget for concessions equipment."