$75,000 Grant for Silver Spring Playground Improvements

By Bob Rodericks

$75,000 Grant / $75,000 Matching City Funds

The city council approved a recommendation from city manager Paul Lemont and city department heads to award a contract to Beausoleil Bros. Inc. from Cranston, RI to complete long awaited renovations to the Silver Spring playground area. "As you know there has been a lot of discourse over this for some time now," said Lemont. "For years," added council member at large Tracy Capobianco. The funds are being provided by a RIDEM Recreation and Open Space Grant and $75,000 in matching city funds. "It had to be put out to re-bid due to prior bids coming in well above the amount available," said city department heads. New bids were received from four vendors. The lowest bid meeting project specs was for $142,856. The highest bid came in at over $212,000.

City engineer, Erik Skadberg told the council that the project will include removal of the existing basketball court and replacing it with a new surface. There will also be new basketball hoops and some new playground equipment. A new baseball backstop will be installed with new fencing. The job will start by July 4th and planned to be finished by the end of the summer, Skadberg said. Ward 4 councilman Tim Conley asked about the softball field infield but was told that the infield there is not part of this project. "That's something the parks department will take care of," said Skadberg.