Park committee picks design firm for Clintonville pond

CLINTONVILLE — The city’s park and recreation committee is moving forward with plans for a new outdoor swimming pond by selecting a design firm.

The community has been without the use of an outdoor swimming facility since its pool building was damaged by fire several years ago.

Justin McAuly, park and recreation director, updated the committee Jan. 30 on the status of the project. He said the old pool has been cleaned up, and the next steps are to get a design plan in place and seek a surveyor to find a site for the installation of the pond. McAuly said he is getting quotes for surveyor services.

The Common Council has already voted to go ahead on plans to install a swimming pond. Normally, officials would need to seek bids from three companies for such a project, but McAuly recommended that they go with a design plan and bid from CRS Design, a Verona company, that did a preliminary conceptual plan last year.

“Technically, we’re supposed to seek three bids, but I don’t know if there are many companies out there. These swimming ponds are not being built every day,” McAuly said.

He said the committee could take special consideration in this case and vote to hire CRS Design because of the city’s relationship with the company and its familiarity with the project.

“But that’s completely up to you guys,” said McAuly.

The CRS Design proposal includes the development of a site clearing plan, a site plan, grading plan, landscaping plan, project estimates and plan renderings for an acre swimming pond.

It would include a floating sport park with inflatables, a shallow swimming area, a rental area for swimming, a beach area that would include sand volleyball, shade areas, rental shelter, open beach space and a route to a dock to help with those with disabilities get into the water.

An entry building, concession and restroom building and a building for the mechanics would be included.

The original bid to build an outdoor swimming pond was $1.5 million. McAuly said he told CRS Design he wanted a project closer to $1 million, and they agreed to scale it back.

The design for a swimming pond by CRS design would be $19,670.

Committee member Chuck Manske made the motion that they recommend to the finance committee that they deviate from regular procurement policy and not seek three proposals. The committee also recommended the city select the proposal from CRS Design for the design phase of the swimming pond and not to exceed $20,000 with the money to come from the outdoor swimming facility account. Both recommendations were approved.

If the finance committee approves the recommendations, the Common Council will be asked to approve them.