Final contracts OKed for Redmond park

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 24, 2015

REDMOND — Construction on Sam Johnson Park’s new and improved playground area is set to begin next week after the Redmond City Council awarded the final construction contracts for the project Tuesday night.

KA Veltman Concrete and Gordon Gribling Construction, both of Redmond, won bids worth $156,533 and $50,000, respectively, to construct a custom climbing wall that will enclose part of the playground area. Latham Excavation’s $99,972 bid for site preparation was also OK’d. With the three final construction contracts approved, the price tag for the new playground area comes in at approximately $832,000, about $132,000 over budget.

Redmond’s System Development Charges will pay the remaining balance for improvements to the park, which officials expect to be the most accessible in the Northwest for children with physical disabilities.

“The equipment should be delivered the end of July, and we’ll put it together the first week of August,” Heather Richards, Redmond’s community development director, told the City Council.

The playground area, which will be six times larger than the current setup, will feature slides, a zip line and a custom-designed climbing rock that looks similar to Monkey Face at Smith Rock State Park.

Other news

Redmond Budget/Finance Manager Jason Neff updated the council on the status of Juniper Golf Course, which is projected to lose $57,000 this year.

“Obviously this isn’t where we want to be,” Neff said.

Neff said the contract for the management group that runs the golf course for the city is up at the end of the calendar year, at which time city staff will evaluate all options.

Several city employees were also highlighted for their exemplary work at Tuesday’s meeting. Police department records specialist Debra Cole and City Hall receptionist Ramona Sorenson were both honored for their work ethic and positive attitudes.

The Redmond City Council is expected to meet again Tuesday for a workshop.

— Reporter: 541-617-7829, beastes@bendbulletin.com