Splash pad park delay?

SAN BENITO — For nearly 10 years, residents have waited for the city to replace its old pool.

Now, they might have to wait a little longer for the city’s first splash pad.

City commissioners have rejected all construction bids for the new Southside Park after the low bidder’s proposal ran $127,457 over the project’s $545,543 budget.

While American Contracting USA’s low bid came in at $673,000, NM Contracting submitted a proposal of $795,522 and 5-Star Construction presented an $820,000 bid.

However, the city will try not to scale back the project.

“That is our chief goal and single objective,” Art Garza, the city’s parks and recreation director, stated yesterday. “It would be irresponsible for us to do otherwise.”

Residents have been waiting for the park’s splash pad to open to give families a place for their children to cool down.

But the details surrounding the park’s timetable remain sketchy.

“The project end-date may be affected now,” city spokeswoman Martha McClain stated yesterday.

However, the length of the project’s possible delay remains unknown.

The city had planned to complete the park by the end of the year.

“It may not even be delayed,” McClain stated. “We don’t have a firm date at this point for project completion but this is an important project and it’s on the front-burner for us.”

As a result of the bids’ rejection, the city will advertise for new proposals.

“We plan to seek new bids on the project soon and expect to be back on track with the project by year’s end,” Garza stated.

Now, the city plans to cut costs by revising the project’s specifications and assigning city crews to work part of the job.

“In evaluating the bids, we found several instances where we could create significant savings, which would ultimately provide more amenities for our citizens,” Garza stated.

The park’s splash pad helps make it a highly-awaited attraction.

Since the city closed its Olympic-sized swimming pool in 2009, residents have called for a new pool.

However, a pool’s big price tag along with its high annual operating costs have placed that project on hold.

How we got here

Earlier this month, the city announced it would use a new $314,780 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to build a splash pad.

The city will use a $494,755 grant from the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation to match the state’s funding.

It is unclear how much money the project will cost taxpayers.

The park is expected to include lighted soccer fields, bleachers, a trail, exercise equipment, concession area, restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue pits.