Slinger parks director defends $5 million Breuer Park project as board begins 'phase two' planning

Slinger Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director Tony Dobson told the board that the initial RFP for Breuer Park came in at $5,000,000 and described subsequent choices that increased the project cost.

"The RFP for Breuer Park came in at $5,000,000," Dobson said, adding that the addition of the playground added $249,000 to the total before construction began and that sodding the outfields increased costs by approximately $75,000. Dobson said the department cut other items — covered dugouts, scoreboards, ballfield lights and a storage shed — and removed the concession stand from the bid package to allow a local business to build a lower-cost concession stand.

Resident Lisa Burns of 560 Nordic Court asked whether going over budget on Breuer Park had an impact on the village tax increase. Dobson responded that he would not change the decisions to add the playground or sod the fields, and he noted that Breuer Park is already generating revenue: "it is already rented 22 times in 2025 at $1,000 per day," he said, adding that that figure does not include anticipated concession revenues.

Chairman Jake Bergum and the board discussed park priorities and agreed to begin the planning process for a phase two at Breuer Park. Proposed phase-two items mentioned included a dog park, restrooms and a shed, a pollinator garden and additional courts for basketball, volleyball or pickleball. Dobson said he will place the phase-two planning item on the February agenda for further discussion.

The board also reviewed steps taken to reduce costs on the current project and emphasized that many future improvements may rely on outside funding sources. No formal vote on phase-two scope or funding occurred at the Jan. 6 meeting.