Moraine Council narrows splash pad to mid‑size design; staff to refine Option 2

MORAINE — The Moraine City Council spent more than an hour Thursday reviewing three proposed designs and budgets for a new splash pad at the rec center and directed staff to pursue a mid‑range plan that trims features to lower costs.

Parks Director Bev Shane presented three options developed by Kleiningers: a full build (largest footprint and amenities), a reduced mid‑size option and a compact ROMtech plan with a modular restroom. Shane said the full design’s conceptual cost was roughly $3.985 million and that much of the increase above the city’s $2.5 million budgeted amount was driven by an on‑site restroom, drive/turnaround and additional site work.

“During design we realized the restroom and the drive elements are what’s pushing this over the budget,” Shane said, recommending the council consider a smaller pad or a different restroom approach to keep the project closer to the appropriation.

Why it matters: Council members pressed staff on tradeoffs between a signature regional amenity and preserving capital for other parks. Several members said Deer Meadow’s planned restroom and parking expansion are also needed and suggested reallocating or phasing some funds if the pad’s cost cannot be contained.

Council weighed three choices: the full design with breezeway restroom and larger landscaping; Option 2, which combines restroom functions into a single building and removes some peripheral features; and Option 3, which uses a smaller ROMtech restroom with fewer stalls and minimal landscaping. Staff said Option 2 shaved roughly $500–$600K off the largest concept by removing some landscape, site furnishings and exterior features.

Several council members expressed concern about long‑term operating needs — including whether restrooms should be heated year‑round and how to discourage unsupervised drop‑offs — and asked staff to study operational protocols and parking. Staff noted that construction bids can vary from estimates and emphasized the need for competitive pricing.

What the council directed: Council asked staff to return to Kleiningers and the contractor with a request to refine Option 2 (remove or reduce overhangs and nonessential features, reexamine the restroom layout) and to seek more competitive bids. Staff will also further evaluate whether Deer Meadow restroom funding should remain separate or be reallocated.

Next steps: Staff will bring revised designs and updated cost projections to a future council meeting and, if appropriate, arrange for Kleiningers to present details to council.