The City of North Bay delivered welcome news to those who enjoy Olmsted Beach last September when it announced construction and landscaping work in preparation for the purchase and installation of new accessible playground equipment this spring.
North Bay City Council will now be asked to continue the transformation of one of North Bay's busiest beaches, located off Lakeside Drive, on Trout Lake. Council will vote to approve a contract for nearly $114,000 to Park N Play Design Company Ltd. for the supply and installation of accessible playground equipment at Olmsted Beach.
See related: New playground coming to Olmsted Beach
A City of North Bay staff report notes the playground is heavily used by the community. The playground equipment was closed in the fall of 2019 and removed in the summer of 2020 due to some "critical safety issues that could not be repaired without significant expenditure."
Last summer, in anticipation of the installation of new playground equipment, a base and footprint were installed by Parks staff.
"This new playground is a critical piece in helping to make Armstrong Park and Olmsted Beach fully accessible. A fully accessible washroom was completed in 2020 and accessible pathways and parking will be added this summer. This new playground will meet all of the current accessibility standards," reads the report.
Park N Play scored highest of the six proposals evaluated by the Purchasing Manager, Manager Parks, Supervisor Parks and the Parks Maintenance Operator. The evaluation considered mandatory technical requirements related to the product’s performance and features; experience; qualifications; play value and inclusive play; layout and circulation; durability; work plan; schedule; and, price.
