Town upgrading popular skate park

Michelle Warren, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Oct. 24—WILLIMANTIC — The town will use nearly $ 90,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to upgrade the town's skate park, a popular feature at Lauter Park.

The project was approved by the town council by a 7- 0 vote during their Oct. 18 meeting.

" It's a fantastic skate park, by the way," Windham Town Manager Jim Rivers said.

Bids were received on Aug. 4.

16 companies requested a bid package and of those, only one, Paprocki Concrete and Masonry of Mystic, submitted a qualified bid.

It is free for people to use the skate park, which Paprocki built in 2012 at Lauter Park. Lauter Park is at 625 Jackson St. in Willimantic.

" It's held up quite well," Windham Mayor Thomas DeVivo said.

According to Tarbell, the park has had little to no maintenance over the years.

The skate park includes areas for skateboarders and BMX bicyclists.

Paprocki's original contract amount was $ 113,000, which is $ 24,000 more than the town budgeted for the project.

In an Oct. 12 memo to Rivers, Windham Town Engineer Bryan Tarbell said the bid is below his estimate, especially considering the square footage area, technical skill and experience required for the project.

However, Windham Materials donated concrete, valued at $ 15,000, and the work from public works staff is valued at about $9,000.

The work being done by public works staff includes excavation, clearing of soil and providing up to 150 cubic yards of granular fill.

The adjusted contract amount, $89,000, includes $ 35,000 from the Local Capital Improvement Program, which is state funding; $ 50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which is federal funding; and $ 4,000 in matching grant funds from Sustainable CT.

Sustainable CT is a voluntary certification program that recognizes thriving and resilient communities. The skate park is one of several fun features at Lauter Park, which also includes a beach by the Willimantic River, splash pad and community garden.

Rivers said the new design will have more intermediate and beginner level sections at the park.

" They've been working on it for a long time," he said.

Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter — @mwarrentc.