Commission approves renovations for Swan Creek and Wildwood South courts; post-tension concrete alternate rejected

The Fitchburg Parks Commission voted on June 4 to approve recommended bid alternates to renovate athletic courts at Swan Creek and Wildwood South.

Eric Shriner told commissioners the project had been included in the 2026 capital funds and that the proposed funding sources are $250,000 from TID-closure excess increment plus $44,000 from the capital property-tax levy. Shriner described the alternates: resurfacing (crack filling, fiberglass, new athletic surfacing and repainting), and a full rebuild for Swan Creek (mill/overlay, new fence and posts). The staff and designer recommended approving the alternates except for a post-tension concrete option, which came back as exceptionally expensive.

"Post-tension concrete is a different style of concrete rather than asphalt installation... it is exceptionally more expensive," Shriner said; staff budgeted for asphalt resurfacing and is not recommending the post-tension alternate for Swan Creek.

Staff noted an anticipated construction completion requirement of Oct. 15, 2026, with final punch-list items to be completed after in-season work. Commissioners raised practical maintenance concerns—pooling water at Swan Creek and shifting grades—that staff and the consultant said justify the deeper rebuild at Swan Creek while resurfacing can extend other courts’ usable life.

The commission moved and seconded approval of the recommended bid alternates (excluding the post-tension concrete alternate). The motion carried on a voice vote.

Funding and procurement notes: Shriner said the project design was prepared by Fred Kulkman LLC, an athletic-court designer, and that the post-tension alternate was bid as a fact-finding option but is not being recommended due to cost.

What happens next: The project is expected to proceed to construction with the stated completion target; staff will manage the procurement and construction oversight and return updates as needed.