Wrentham delays full Sweat Park build after bids come in hundreds of thousands over; town to rebid focused safety work

Town staff told the Select Board on June 18 that construction bids for the planned Sweat Park came in substantially over the project’s budget: the low bid was roughly $600,000 above the forecasted figure, and the high bid was about $1.6 million over. Only three contractors submitted bids, and staff and the town’s engineering consultant (VHB) said the project’s multi-disciplinary and specialty elements — sports courts, lighting, masonry and drainage — contributed to higher pricing.

Select Board and staff discussed a two-track approach: rework the base bid to focus on immediate safety and accessibility needs (stair repairs, handrails, walkways and drainage), and hold court/lighting work as alternates or a second-phase project once additional funding is secured. Staff said Opera funds are committed to accessibility priorities and that other potential funding sources being considered include CPC, free cash and stabilization funds. The manager said revised documents and clearer definitions of base vs. alternate work would be completed with VHB and the town planned to rebid by late July with the goal of awarding contracts and starting phased work later in the year.

Why it matters: The scaled-back approach aims to address urgent safety problems quickly while preserving the longer-term vision for courts and activation. Board members emphasized public-safety outcomes — particularly stabilizing stairs and improving ADA access — as the top priority.

Staff will return with redesigned bid documents and funding recommendations; the board asked to be kept apprised of timing and any potential need for town appropriation.