The Town Council approved a nearly $700,000 contract with Nickel Contracting for final improvements at Fountain Park.

The council adopted a master plan for the park in 1999, and these improvements are Phase 6 of the upgrades outlined in that master plan.

The scope of work for this project will include reconstruction of the parking lot on the east side of the park off Panorama Drive. There is also the addition of low level lighted bollards to be installed along the inner walkway of the park. The plan also includes three new monument signs to identify the park at major intersections.

Additionally there will be improvements and upgrades made to electrical equipment around the amphitheater.

The contract includes a $688,280 base bid along with the addition of two alternate improvements, including expansion of a handicap ramp near the splash pad to better allow access into the park for larger equipment such as trucks. The second alternate is to provide an electrical connection to the planned Legacy Plaza.

Community Services Director Mark Mayer told the council that the base bid is half the engineers estimated cost and what was budgeted for the project.

There were eight bids for the project up to about $1.1 million. Nickel was the lowest qualified bid.

Mayer said a schedule has yet to be worked out with the contractor but construction is expected to begin around the first week in March and with a four-month schedule the work should be completed by the end of June.

He added that the contractor will work around any special events in the park and minimize disruption to daily use of the park.