DARLINGTON — The Darlington Park & Rec Committee met on Wednesday, Jan. 31 and Monday, Feb. 5 to finalize three widely varying quotes for a filter at the swimming pool.
An item that was tabled was for bids received for the replacement of swimming pool filters at the municipal swimming pool. Darlington Recreation and Parks Director, Wade Berget, gave a recap of the filter situation. The filters are from when the pool was originally built (1958) and have performed well for 66 years. Last year the filters started to leak and with the help of Lafayette County Highway Department, who welded a spot where it was leaking and then the welded patch started leaking.
“My gut tells me, we won’t get through another summer with the current filters, so it’s time to replace them,” Berget said.
Three bids were obtained by Berget as follows: In-Depth Services of Wisconsin Dells, $59,640; Badger Swimpools of Prairie du Sac, $79,701 and Dubuque Plumbing & Heating of Dubuque, $94,200.
The committee was concerned with extensive gap between the bids and asked several questions, including wanting references of jobs done by In-Depth. Chair Joe Boll wasn’t comfortable awarding the bid without researching why there is such a difference in pricing. The item was tabled and scheduled a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 5.
It was mentioned that the Park & Rec Dept. does not have funds to pay for replacement filters, so it would need to come out of the general city fund and/or borrowed.
At the Monday meeting on Feb. 5:
● References were presented for In-Depth Services and were impressive, including testimonials from City of Dodgeville, City of Edgerton, Kalahri Resort and Mt. Olympus Water Park. It was also mentioned that In-Depth would like to have the job completed by April, which was also a concern for the committee.
The Committee approved the bid from In-Depth Services in the amount of $59,640. This item will go to the common council for final approval.
In other business:
● Approved a bid from Midwest Sealcoat, LLC of Dodgeville $6,500 to sealcoat the walking trail. The other bid was from PerfectSEAL, LLC of Darlington was for $16,700.
● Approved fees for the upcoming season. Changes include: Pool — family season went up to $125, up $25 from 2023; general admission went to $5 from $4 for adults and $4 from $3.50 for school aged; lessons went up $5; private lessons went to $75, up from $50. Shelter house rental went to $75, up from $50 in 2023, also a $50 security deposit was added. All rec programs remained the same as last year. Camping fees — electric sites are the same at $25/night; non-electric sites $15/night; the new full hook up sites were priced at $50/night. It was also mentioned the new nine site full hook up (water, electric, sewer) will be constructed and completed in May. Wellness Center rates all remained the same from 2023. This will go to common council for final approval.
● Approved 2024 Summer Employment Salaries with an increase of 3%. This will go to common council for final approval.