RECREATION COMPLEX

Oregon mulls new irrigation system

Council likely to OK $137,322 bid for project

4/14/2014

Wasserman

With new bathrooms at the South Recreation Complex just finished, Oregon City Council has turned its attention to the second improvement project planned for the city’s soccer fields.

Council is expected to authorize spending $137,332 for installation of an irrigation system on the fields at its 8 p.m. meeting. The irrigation system is to include a pumping station and about 200 heads to cover the 17-acre athletic field complex, which has eight soccer fields and four flag-football fields.

If council gives the go-ahead later today, installation should start in early May and take about 90 days, said Joe Wasserman, parks and recreation director. The work will not interfere with the soccer season’s April 22 opening, he said.

The irrigation system was recommended last year by the city’s recreation advisory board. Regular watering will enable the fields, north of Starr Avenue Extension, to be planted with bluegrass, which makes for a better playing surface than the fescue now there. Reseeding would be done in the fall.

Ohio Irrigation Lawn Systems Inc. of Dayton won the contract with the lowest of seven bids. Its price includes $72,000 for materials and $65,332 for labor. Project funding is included in Oregon’s 2014 capital-improvement budget.

To a query from Councilman Jim Seaman last week, Mr. Wasserman and service director Paul Roman said the Dayton firm had done a good job at Pacesetter Park in Sylvania. The company finished ahead of schedule and impressed Sylvania recreation officials with its skill and professionalism, Mr. Wasserman said.

Mr. Seaman noted that the $141,050 bid submitted by Oregon firm Landscape Design by Moritz was not far above the lowest bid and said “I like the concept of hiring local people.”

Administrator Mike Beazley said he agreed with that concept but noted that Ohio Irrigation and Lawn Systems had the lowest, best bid.

“We’re very comfortable with this choice,” he said. “This company has done some good work.”

Mr. Seaman said he believed the need to maintain and winterize the irrigation system was another reason to go with a local company. Mr. Wasserman said he would be trained to operate the system, and a local firm would be available for support.

Council President Dennis Walendzak then asked about the contract with the winning bidder: “This will take us to 2015? Then we’ll bid out another contract for service?”

“That’s correct,” Mr. Wasserman replied.

The irrigation system will be Oregon’s latest improvement at its popular recreation complex. With money set aside from the 2013 capital budget, council last year approved spending up to $476,000 for the bathrooms, which are in a building that includes drinking fountains, an open-air shelter, and a concessions stand.

The new restrooms mean that when the soccer season opens, players and spectators won’t have to use portable toilets that had been the fields’ only bathroom facilities and generated many complaints over the years.

Contact Carl Ryan at: carlryan@theblade.com or 419-724-6095.