SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize a Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal to Keystone Excavators, Inc. of Oldsmar, FL, for renovations and improvements to Countryside Community Park, located at 2640 Sabal Springs Dr., in the amount of $1,449,136.15, pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 51-24, Construction Manager at Risk Services for Continuing Contracts, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
On October 3, 2024, Council approved 18 firms to provide Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Services for Continuing Contracts under RFQ 51-24. Keystone Excavators, Inc. was one of the firms awarded a continuing contract.
Keystone Excavators, Inc. was selected from the City’s approved CMAR continuing contracts pool based on demonstrated experience with similar park improvement projects, including the recently completed pickleball court at McKay Park on Clearwater Beach. The firm’s past performance, reliability, on-site supervision, ability to assemble and manage a multidisciplinary project team, and record of delivering quality work within established schedules made Keystone the most qualified firm for this project.
Countryside Community Park is a 25-acre neighborhood park that has served the recreational needs of the Countryside residential community for more than 30 years. This park currently features outdoor basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, access to the Duke Energy Trail, and an indoor recreation center and library.
Pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the country, creating increased demand for dedicated courts throughout Clearwater, particularly the Countryside community. Currently, there are no dedicated pickleball courts in the area, and players often share basketball and tennis courts to play their sport. This arrangement limits the availability of those facilities for their intended uses and does not adequately meet the recreational needs of either user group.
This project includes the construction of six new pickleball courts similar to those recently completed at McKay Park. Additional improvements include the replacement and relocation of outdoor fitness equipment adjacent to the Duke Energy Trail, shade structures, sidewalks, lighting, retention pond improvements, and other associated park amenities.
Existing Parks and Recreation staff will be sufficient to operate and maintain the new facilities. Annual operating costs are expected to increase by approximately $8,000.00 for utilities and maintenance supplies.
The contract duration is 120 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. Construction is anticipated to begin in August 2026, with substantial completion expected by late December 2026.
The total project budget funding for the Countryside Pickleball project is $1,250,000, funded by revenues from the General Fund and recreation impact fees. Total project costs, including design and construction with the lighting, are estimated at $1,499,636.15. If approved at these design specifications, an additional $249,636.15 will need to be allocated. The recommended option to fund the additional $249,636.15 is to transfer Penny for Pinellas funding from project, C2402, Frank Tack Improvements to this project. The planned improvements at Frank Tack that would eliminated as a result of this transfer are improvements to the unpaved parking area.
If the City elects to eliminate installation of the lighting, the project cost could be reduced by approximately $250,000.00 and be within budget; and the estimated annual operating cost would decrease to approximately $2,000.00. However, this would limit use of the courts during certain times of the year.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
To provide remaining funds needed for this proposal, a third quarter budget amendment will be required to transfer Penny for Pinellas funding of $249,640.00 from project, C2402, Frank Tack Improvements to project, C2504 - Countryside Pickleball.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Funding the purchase of the new playground equipment aligns with the following City of Clearwater Strategic Plan Objectives:
• 1.2: Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts.
• 1.3: Adopt responsive levels of service for public facilities and amenities, and identify resources required to sustain that level of service.
• 1.5: Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers; and
• 2.3: Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
• 3.2: Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
