THUNDER BAY — The City of Thunder Bay is looking for a contractor to redevelop the playground area at Centennial Park.
The Parks & Open Spaces section has budgeted $700,000 for the project.
In keeping with the park's history and setting, wood will be a major component of the new playground, but the city is telling bidders to think beyond the original design.
The city began removing the park's original playground equipment last summer because it had deteriorated.
It contained wooden horses, two forts with wooden weapons of war, two treehouses, a maze, benches, swings and a log for log burling.
The playground was one of the last remaining ones of its type in the city.
After feedback from the public showed respondents favoured the look and feel of wood structures, the city decided the replacement project should follow the primary theme of Woodland/Outdoor Adventure.
In its request for proposals, the city says it wants to maximize year-round use of the equipment for all ages, not just children.
"The design and activity is to include the potential for all ages and abilities to engage, interact and participate in activities, as well as providing inclusive and accessible facilities for all children and caregivers," the RFP states.
It also says the city intends to make the park area more functional and active for a wide range of community users.
"This may include improvements to support programming and infrastructure for special events and the provision for shade in summer and sheltered microclimate in other seasons."
The city hopes to award the contract by mid-February, and aims to have the work completed by Oct. 31 of this year.
