TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract No. 2025-34 With Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. DBA Gametime, Authorized Representative Dominica Recreation Products for Removal and Replacement of Playground at Hope Park, Located at 8161 Lombra Avenue, North Port, Florida, 34287, in the Total Amount of $299,943.30 in Accordance With the Terms and Conditions in the Solicitation.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract No. 2025-34 with Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. DBA Gametime, authorized representative Dominica Recreation Products for Removal and Replacement of Playground at Hope Park, located at 8161 Lombra Avenue, North Port, Florida 34287, in the total amount of $299,943.30 in accordance with the terms and conditions in the solicitation.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract No. 2025-34 with Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. DBA Gametime, authorized representative Dominica Recreation Products for Removal and Replacement of Playground at Hope Park, located at 8161 Lombra Avenue, North Port, Florida 34287, in the total amount of $299,943.30 in accordance with the terms and conditions in the solicitation.
Pros:
• Enhances park safety by replacing aging and outdated equipment.
• Ensures continued usability and compliance with current playground standards.
• Provides an opportunity for reimbursement of up to $300,000 through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
• Advances a Commission-approved project.
Cons:
• Requires upfront City expenditure, while awaiting CDBG reimbursement.
• Commits the City to the selected vendor and contract amount, reducing flexibility if market conditions change.
Option 2: Deny Contract No. 2025-34 with Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. DBA Gametime, authorized representative Dominica Recreation Products for removal and replacement of playground at Hope Park, located at 8161 Lombra Avenue, North Port, Florida 34287, in the total amount of $299,943.30 in accordance with the terms and conditions in the solicitation.
Pros:
• Defers upfront spending, preserving short-term budget capacity.
• Allows additional time to reevaluate scope, design or potential alternative funding sources
Cons:
• Potential loss or delay of CDBG reimbursement funding.
• Ongoing safety concerns are associated with keeping aging equipment in service.
• Increased project costs if replacement is postponed.
• Project may fall out of alignment with the approved capital improvement project schedule and associated grant timelines.
Background Information
The existing playground equipment, installed in 2015, has exceeded its intended service life and is scheduled for replacement in 2026. Following inspection and condition assessment, the Parks & Recreation Department recommends proceeding with a full replacement to ensure continued safe and accessible recreation opportunities for the community.
This project is eligible for reimbursement through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. On May 27, 2025, the City Commission approved the City’s participation as a subrecipient under Sarasota County’s CDBG program. The City of North Port has since been awarded a Subrecipient Agreement with Sarasota County for the Hope Park Playground Renovation Project (CIP P25HPP). The agreement provides up to $300,000 in reimbursable grant funding for construction costs associated with the playground replacement.
CDBG funds, originating from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered locally by Sarasota County, are intended to support community improvements that primarily benefit low‑ and moderate‑income residents. The Hope Park Playground Renovation aligns with these objectives by enhancing recreational amenities and improving safety and accessibility for neighborhood families. As a reimbursable grant, the City will incur project costs upfront and subsequently request reimbursement from Sarasota County in accordance with the Subrecipient Agreement.
The City of North Port issued Request for Proposal No. 2025-34, on December 16, 2025, with January 22, 2026, as the deadline for submittal of proposals for removal and replacement of the playground at Hope Park. A total of five (5) responses were received. The Selection Committee members evaluated the proposals on February 24, 2026, and determined that Playcore is well-qualified to perform the work and recommend that RFP No. 2025-34 be awarded to Playcore.
Ø Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. DBA Gametime, Authorized Representative Dominica Recreation Products
Awarding RFP 2025‑34 to Playcore will allow the project to move forward and position the City to seek eligible reimbursement upon completion.
Contract No. 2025-34 for Removal and Replacement of Playground at Hope Park has been reviewed by the City Attorney, and it is legally correct as to form.
Contract No. 2025-34 for Removal and Replacement of Playground at Hope Park was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on June 1, 2026, for signature subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Quality of Life
Financial Impact
$300,000 is available for Capital Improvement Project (CIP) P25HPP in account # 306-3036-572.63-00. Ongoing maintenance is included in the annual Parks & Recreation Department budget. This Community Development Block Grant award is $300,000 and does not require matching funds.
Procurement
The services for Removal and Replacement of Playground at Hope Park were procured pursuant to Chapter 2 - Administration, Article VIII - Procurement, Section 2-405 - Competitive Sealed Request for Proposal Process of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida.
Attachments:
1. Contract
2. RFP Ranking
3. Proposal by Playcore
4. Request for Proposal No. 2025-34 and Addenda
5. Contract #2025-468 Hope Park Improvements
6. CIP Detail Sheet - P25HPP
7. City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes, May 27, 2025
Prepared by: Cheryl Greiner, Senior Business Manager
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director