A Vancouver company will provide equipment for a new playground at McBride Street Park in Trail, although the project budget has grown by over 41 per cent.
City council awarded the contract this week to Green Roots Play Equipment Inc. for $141,611 plus GST. They had the highest-rated bid among three received, with a nearly perfect score.
However, the project budget was previously set at $100,000, so the city will have to shuffle some money in its budget to cover the extra amount.
According to a staff report, during the bid evaluation process, it became clear that the original budget wasn’t enough to deliver “the level of quality, functionality, and inclusive design we were aiming for.”
“The selected proposal represents the best overall value in meeting project objectives and provides a long-term investment in a high-quality, age-appropriate play space,” the report said.
The new playground comes after the city hired a consultant in 2022 to provide an audit of 13 playgrounds. It said the equipment at McBride Street Park “no longer meets compliance standards due to its deteriorated condition.”
McBride Street was ranked the third highest in potential for injury, after Queen Elizabeth and Daniel Street parks, which have already had their equipment replaced.
The new playground will include a mix of features aimed at younger and older kids. It’s expected to be completed by late March 2026.
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