Council OKs recreation updates

Aquatics center, trail bridges to see upgrades

By BILL SHEA

bshea@messengernews.net

Two new trail bridges and a fresh coat of paint for the fixtures at the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center were approved by the Fort Dodge City Council on Monday.

The two bridges to be replaced are on the Fort Dodge Nature Trail, just south of Soldier Creek Drive, according to Assistant City Manager Ryan Maehl.

Custom Manufacturing, of Clinton, Wisconsin, was awarded a $267,900 contract to build both bridges. That company was the only bidder for the project.

The bridges will be 80-feet long and 10-feet wide. They will replace two older spans.

Maehl said the council will be asked to award another contract in November to a company that will tear down the existing bridges and prepare the sites for the replacement bridges.

The preferred time frame for constructing the new bridges is January and February, he said. The trail will be closed for about a month.

The council also hired Jontz Painting, LLC, of Woodward, to paint fixtures at the aquatics center at 10th Avenue North and 32nd Street. The company will be paid $195,000.

Some of the elements at the center haven't been painted since 2018.

The painting will begin after the aquatics center closes for the season and is to be completed by Dec. 1.

Other bidders for the job were Area Pro Painters LLC, Sheldahl, $204,442; Blast It Clean, Kansas City, Missouri, $204,446.25; Mongan Painting LLC, Cherokee, $206,300; Superior Painting & Epoxy Coatings, Clive, $212,400; and Western Specialty Contractors, Des Moines, $249,500.

Councilman Todd McCubbin was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote to approve the contracts.

The money to pay for both projects will come from a general obligation bond issue.