Bridgeport council approves Berryman Park upgrade contract

BRIDGEPORT – City Planner Kurt Danison advised the Brigeport City Council of the latest development regarding funds for upgrading Berryman Park that have “gone from red, to yellow, and - we will get a contract in the mail before too long - it is now green.”

Mayor Janet Conklin reminded the council what the Gray & Osborne engineering services contract for the project will involve.

The $500,000 grant provides for the first phase renovation of Berryman Park replacing outdated playground equipment, restroom, a picnic shelter and a sports court. The city will also build connecting pathways, add lights, and improve parking. The existing amenities have exceeded their life spans and need to be replaced for safety and functionality.

The city will install a resilient ground surface at the playground, resurface and stripe the sports court for multiple sports including basketball, pickleball, and tennis and renovate or replace the fence. The new pathway will be accessible to people with disabilities and will connect each amenity.

The council approved the services contract.

Pool resurfacing moves forward

Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem reported on his trip to Spokane to watch the bull hide applicator operation that the city is purchasing to resurface the public pool.

The seller is completely rebuilding the unit with new pumps and controllers and expects completion around mid-August. The seller is offering five days of training and will also consult in the actual pool application itself. Weather conditions with little or no wind need to be optimal for the estimated five days it will require to coast the pool surface.

Dezellem said he has found many other possibilities to put the applicator to use coating other city structures and equipment including vehicle beds, equipment surfaces, and floors.

Port District interest

Mayor Conklin said she met with Craig Larsen, Business Development Manager for the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority that is interested in participating with city revitalization project by finding and purchasing a usable building in downtown Bridgeport. The port would establish an incubator to help citizens in town who want to start a business.