Mayor Cassetti at the splash pad's location.
ANSONIA — Kids could be making a splash as soon as next month at Nolan Field — if city officials can find a contractor that specializes in installing splash pads.
The city has been planning for a firefighter-themed splash pad since fall 2021. Initially officials hoped to have it open by this summer, then the end of this month, but trouble locating a contractor has pushed the anticipated opening date.
“I am hopeful for a late September date,” said economic development director Sheila O’Malley. “The Mayor would like it done by mid-September, so we’re trying.”
O’Malley gave a brief update about the project at the Board of Aldermen’s meeting Aug. 9. She said the city is soliciting quotes from a couple of contractors in order to nail down a cost for installation. Most of the prep work on the site at Nolan Field, located on Wakelee Avenue, has been completed, O’Malley said. The equipment related to the firefighter-themed design splash pad has also been purchased and is being stored locally until it can be installed.
“We did all the trenching and are waiting for the electrical panel to be installed,” O’Malley said. “We are soliciting quotes, and did find a contractor out of Bridgeport who has installed at least 10 splash pads in Bridgeport alone. They will be giving me a quote shortly, as well as another contractor, hopefully.”
O’Malley said over the last few weeks she asked about a dozen contractors who’ve done work for the city before, but none wanted to get involved in installing a splash pad.
“It’s a specialty, like installing a pool, and you have to find someone with the experience and knowledge, so it’s done properly,” O’Malley said.
O’Malley said she turned to the project architects Tate and Associates, of Fairfield, and the city engineer for some recommendations, and found two contractors, one out of Bridgeport and another who installed a splash pad at the Boys and Girls Club in Shelton, who have experience with splash pads, to get quotes from.
Cassetti, last November, said a splash pad could cost upwards of $125,000. The splash pad, along with a new playground and improvements to the basketball and tennis courts at Nolan Field, could cost around $300,000, he said. Cassetti said the city set aside $300,000 to cover the total project cost and will use money from the $2.7 million Ansonia received in relief aid from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Recreational improvements qualify for the federal money, O’Malley said.
O’Malley added “I’m hopeful we can stay at the $300,000 estimate for the project.” But without yet knowing what it will cost to install the splash pad, or running into any unknown issues, O’Malley said the numbers could end up being higher. If that happens, she said the city could use additional ARPA money to pay for the difference.
O’Malley said once a contractor is selected to install the splash pad, they will also be used to install the new playscape. A separate contractor would be hired to do the paving and improvements to the basketball/tennis courts, O’Malley said.
O’Malley said a special meeting of the aldermen could be called before their next regular meeting in September to approve a contractor and final project cost.
O’Malley said Frank Pepe Construction installed the conduits for water and sewer to the site, removed old playground equipment and dug out the trench for the splash pad, while Ray Sadlik did the electrical work.
Once the city finds an installer, O’Malley expects the splash pad could be installed within a few weeks, in an effort to open in September.
O’Malley said the splash pad will be a public facility open to all, and free to use.
