Greeting from ESP! 2010 was a busy year for the Elizabethtown Sports Park project. Ground was broke in June and mass earthwork was underway along with underground utility installation. Close to 600,000 cubic yards of dirt were moved to provide the base for park construction. During this time work also began on the West Park Road extension to Ring Road with a base layer of asphalt being placed before weather turned too cold. The main entrance for the park will be off of this new section of West Park Road, just west of Billy Creek. The weather this fall was highly conducive for construction while the rain held off the construction crews were able to accomplish more work. By the time the weather turned sour in late November the majority of the rough grading and utility line installation was close to completion leaving little to finish this spring. Work on-site has remained on schedule during the early phases, which means the previously established target of summer 2012 for the official opening of the park remains intact.
There are many bid packages in this large project; the first 4 bid phases contained 13 bid packages. Bid Phase 5 contains 30 separate bid packages, from building construction, to sports fields construction, to park signage. Late last year the bids for the bulk of the remaining work, Bid Phase 5, were opened with some bid contracts already awarded. To date, 19 bid packages have been awarded, these awards were granted based on the best valued and lowest bids. The remaining bid packages are still being reviewed and will be awarded in the coming weeks.
In this coming New Year, the Elizabethtown Sports Park will continue to take shape. Once the weather breaks, temperature rise and soil dries out, construction crews will hit the ground running to continue to turn the park into a reality. I look forward to get some turf growing and having the community enjoy this awesome project in the years to come. Happy New Year and see you at the Sports Park!
James Bergdoll
Elizabethtown Sports Park Turf Manager
