Council approves $1.85 million contract to build Riverfest Park soccer field

The De Soto City Council voted Feb. 19 to move forward with construction of a new soccer field at Riverfest Park, approving a design‑build contract with Mid America Sports Construction and authorizing associated project oversight services.

Project presenter Jay (parks/park board representative) described the scope: a 400‑by‑400‑foot irrigated natural‑turf field, associated gravel parking, fencing and site work. Staff said the project was bid twice and the design‑build approach yielded two responsive proposals; Mid America submitted the lowest responsive proposal and was recommended. The contract figure on the design‑build agreement is $1,846,241; staff asked council to approve that amount plus a 10% contingency and to authorize the city administrator to execute the agreement. A council member flagged a small discrepancy in the recommendation language; staff confirmed the contract amount would govern.

Council also approved a separate agreement with GBA to serve as the city's owner's representative for the project at a fee of $32,120 (roughly 2% of construction cost). Staff said GBA will perform day‑to‑day management tasks, review pay requests and assist with change orders while in‑house staff complete inspection duties.

Construction is expected to start in spring, with completion planned for late fall and the spring 2027 season set as the first season for play, pending project schedule and weather.

Quotes from the meeting included Jay's description of the project: "This project will include a 400 by 400 hundred by 400 foot, irrigated natural turf soccer field, associated gravel parking lot and supporting site improvements." The council authorized the administrator to execute contracts and approved both motions by roll‑call votes.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract paperwork, monitor construction and manage pay requests and contingency use through the owner's representative.