Waunakee board approves Parisi Construction bid for Centennial Park playscape and awards construction management contract

Waunakee Village Board members voted to award the Centennial Park playscape construction contract to Parisi Construction, approving the low bid package inclusive of alternates, and separately approved a construction management contract to oversee the project. The board took the votes by voice at its regular meeting.

Staff presenter Sue told trustees the project is the culmination of months of neighborhood and stakeholder input and procurement work, noting the construction bids opened March 21 and produced four responsive bids. "This has got to be one of the best projects that I have worked on in a really long time, and I am very excited to be here tonight to have you help us make a few last final decisions about how to make the Centennial Park playscape project a reality," Sue said.

The board discussed three alternates included in the bid package: a three-stall changing structure (designed for privacy and accessibility), catenary (string) lighting for the south shelter area, and shade-structure installation. Staff and trustees said the changing structure—identified in materials as approximately $65,000—was considered essential by the park committee and many board members.

Design consultant Blake Tyson joined the meeting online to present renderings of the changing structure and example lighting. He described a powder-coated metal structure and LED fixtures designed for longevity and vandal resistance. The board heard the project estimate with all alternates, contingency and construction management in place at a maximum of $1,970,000.

Trustees discussed funding sources and reported about $171,000 in private fundraising to date. Sue said the village planned to fund the project from a mix of sources including debt, impact fees, existing PAYGo capital set-asides and private donations. After discussion, a trustee moved and the board approved awarding the construction contract to Parisi Construction "inclusive of all alternates." The motion carried by voice vote.

The board separately approved a construction management contract to provide architecture and planning support on the playscape project at a stated contract amount of $19,232.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents and proceed with preconstruction tasks; trustees asked staff to notify the public about the project timeline and upcoming site work.