Project Overview

The Request for Proposal shall consist of the design, supply, delivery and installation of new playground equipment and a splash pad located at the Lake of Bays Community Centre, 10 University Street, Baysville, Ontario.  The Township is currently seeking proposals from playground/splash pad suppliers to determine what can be achieved with the available budget of $550,000.00 (plus HST) and within the proposed areas of approximately 4500 sqft.  (see included site drawing).

Playground

The successful proponent will develop a playground design that is both complementary to and integrated with the landscape of the Township of Lake of Bays and the Village of Baysville.  The proposed design should be attractive and achieve high accessibility standards.  It should also be able to withstand a park environment with unsupervised access.

Splash Pad

The successful proponent will design, supply, deliver and install spray pad equipment, mechanical systems and control infrastructure.  Proponents are expected to provide conceptual and detailed design; and supply and installation of spray pad equipment, including all electrical and mechanical aspects, as necessary for the complete functioning of the spray pad system by June 15, 2025.  In addition, it is required that incidental and minor items, specified or implied by the nature of this type of work, be completed within the proponent's scope of work.
The successful proponent (General Contractor) will be responsible to work with all sub-contractors including but not limited to the excavation company. The excavation company will excavate the spray pad areas to the specified depth, remove associated spoils off-site, prepare and compact the sub-grade, supply and install the granular sub-surface drainage and concrete pad for the spray pad as per the detail provided in the contract.  Co-ordination with General Contractor (successful Proponent) and relevant sub-contractors is required for installation of all aspects of the spray pad.

General Information and Requirements

The water system currently consists of a ¾ horsepower pump.  This pump is bringing water from the Muskoka River that is treated to Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit requirements for recreational water.  The spray park shall be utilizing a “Flow Through” system.  The successful proponent will be responsible for creating a drainage plan for the drainage from the spray pad.  Please advise the required flow from the pump for adequate water pressure/supply for your submission.  If a pump upgrade is required, The Township will provide this outside of the RFP.

Play Equipment

Play equipment design and manufacturing must comply with Canadian Standards Association CAN/C.S.A.Z614-20.  Proposals are to include layout drawings of elements showing all safety setbacks within the given play area dimensions.  Proposals that do not meet minimum safety requirements will be disqualified.
The playground supplied must be accompanied by a certificate that states that the playground equipment was designed and manufactured in compliance with CAN/C.S.A.Z614-20.
Play equipment and safety surfacing will be inspected by a certified third party play ground inspector after installation.  This must include testing and energy/shock absorbency of the protective surfacing for the defined maximum fall height of the play structure(s).

Accessibility

Accessibility for users with disabilities must be part of the overall design for the playground and splash pad.  Preferred equipment designs will be inclusive and create a variety of balanced play opportunities for both disabled and able-bodied users.
Standards proposed in CAN/C.S.A.Z614-20 Annex H will be used as guidelines in the evaluation of the proposal.
Play opportunities allowing for some level of independent play by users with disabilities such as mobility, hearing (auditory stimulation), low or no vision (colour contrast), reaching and / or dexterity disabilities (fine motor skills development and textures for tactile stimulation). It should also consider opportunities for experiencing movement (vestibular stimulation) and quiet retreat spaces (to calm over stimulation).

Playground Users

Playground equipment shall serve both the two (2) year to five (5) year age group, and the five (5) year to twelve (12) year age group.

Splash Pad Users

Splash pad equipment shall serve two (2) to teen age group.

Playground Surfacing

Safety surfacing shall be rubber or compressed wood fibre.  Both options shall be quoted in this RFP.

Splash Pad Surfacing

Surfacing shall be concrete.

Playground Equipment
       Playground Design

The proposed design should include a variety of components that provide a range of play experiences and a high play value.  Examples of desired play experiences include climbing, balancing, rocking, swinging, spinning, sliding, role playing, socializing, imagining, etc.
The proposed design must at a minimum include a sliding element, a vertical net climber, and a motion element.  Ground-level play elements, either as free standing or composite connected elements can be included as well (such as spring toys, spinners, swings etc).
A double-bay swing with at least double posts and four (4) seats. To include one (1) inclusive seat, two (2) belt seats and one (1) tot seat is a desired component.  Single post swings will not be accepted.
The Township will choose the colour scheme of the play equipment to complement the park design.

      Playground Components

Main metal components, if proposed, are to be hot-dip galvanized steel or painted according to current industry standards and have a dry powder coating, or approved alternate, in order to prevent chipping and discolourization over time.
Molded plastic components, if proposed, are to be ultraviolet light stabilized with the colour pigment molded directly into the component.
Cable components, if proposed, are to be nylon cords reinforced with galvanized steel strands.
Wood components, if proposed, must have a very high resistance to rot, insects, disease and wear from children.  Wood must be from a renewable source and not be pressure-treated.
Direct buried footings are preferred, where applicable.  All posts are to be designed to be set into 300mm dia. X 1200mm deep concrete footings (minimum) formed by sono tubes.  The top of the concrete footings will be set at the bottom of the safety surface.
All fasteners are to be tamper resistant, stainless steel or protected steel that has received a rust inhibiting zinc coating.  All fasteners must be of a non-entanglement design.
Sound components, if proposed, shall be of a low decibel level.
Playground price shall include the supply and installation of wear mats in accordance with the proposed playground layout.

Unacceptable Playground Components
In addition to the restrictions imposed by the CSA Standard, the Township will refuse the use of the following materials and components included in the playground equipment and / or park space.
- bubble panels      - plastic crawl tubes     - merry-go-rounds
- chain cargo nets  - solid plastic panels    - tires
Note:  Rotomoulded plastic panels may be acceptable in some situations depending on the application and play experience provided.  General visibility into the play space is required and solid panels restrict visibility.  Openings within the panels are preferable and generally metal style barriers are more desirable than plastic panels.

• Splash Pad
         Splash Pad Design
  The spray pad must be operable “on-demand” during established operating times by means of accessible above-grade push buttons on a weather and vandal-resistant activator bollard.  At-grade activators are not acceptable.
  The controller shall be programmed with an automated sequencing of water features that is initiated by the activator.  Each sequence shall include a minimum of two (2) minutes of features control and shall involve multiple water features.  Programming shall be completed by the installer.
  The spray pad must be designed to be discharged to the supplied surface and storm water drainage system.  Re-circulating spray pad systems are not acceptable.
  
         Specific Requirements
• Designed for both toddlers up to teen aged children
• Separate junior and senior play zones
• One (1) or Two (2) play safe drains as required to attach to proposed servicing
  Splash pad surface shall have a minimum 1% and maximum 4% slope to drain.
• Water consumption optimization through operational programming and hardware
  All products shall be durable, vandal and corrosion resistance; stainless steel, brass, durable coloured polymers.
• There shall be two bollards complete with activation mechanisms.  All activation mechanisms shall have no moving parts and be made accessible only with use of manufacturer supplied tamper resistant, stainless steel hardware,  The activation bollards shall meet heights that will meet universal accessibility standards.
• All spray nozzles must be made of brass or stainless steel.
• Ground sprays shall offer some means of adjustability (elevation for leveling) to prevent “ponding” of water at the spray and to mitigate trip points.
• Spray features must be powder coated stainless steel with tamper / vandal resistant hardware.
• Vertical elements must be an interchangeable system.
• Plumbing shall consist of a pipe in pipe system.  The outer pipe shall be 2" diameter pvc, and the inner water lines shall be IPEX Q-Line sized to the requirements of the components.
• Spray pad controls and manifold will be housed in an above ground cabinet nearby on site.  The splash pad manufacturer / supplier will be responsible to facilitate the installation of the water lines from the vault to the components.  Flow though system with vault required.
• Mechanical system / manifold system to include a hose bib to allow Operators to properly maintain the splash pad.
• The manifold assembly shall be stainless steel resistant to corrosion and increases the life of the manifold.
• All metal splash pad components, grate frames, steel reinforcing and adjacent benches are to be bonded per Electrical Safety Authority Standards.
• The controller shall offer the user functionality including: set the date / time, owner prescribed hours or operation, operate the splash pad via signal from an activation device, provide multiple pre-programmed sequences, programmable purge cycles, full adjustability to pre-programmed sequences, multiple period - operational run times and a return to factory configuration setting option in the event of any an errant keystroke.
• The controller shall be programmed with an automated sequence of water feature control steps that is initiated by touching the activator.  Each sequence shall include a minimum of 3 minutes of customizable feature control and shall involve multiple water features.  Programming shall be done by the manufacturer.
• The splash pad controller shall be supplied with a minimum 2 year warranty. 
• The water play system shall be professionally installed by installation forces that are factory-certified by the water play manufacturer.
• System start up training and system winterization training shall be included in the price.
• The water play system must be supported by a certified field technical support resource available after hours and on weekends.
• The layout of the splash pad components shall consider the direction of prevailing winds and light / shade cast by adjacent vegetation.
• A 1200 mm wide spray free zone is to be maintained around the splash pad elements.
• As-built drawings are to be provided at the completion of the job including mechanical and electrical components.
• In addition to the manufacturer's warranty on splash pad components, all site work is to be warranted for two (2) years from the date of substantial performance.

Project Scheduling
The scheduling of this project is to be started as soon as the successful proponent is selected, with full completion no later that June 15, 2025.
The successful proponent, while working with the Township representative, shall be in charge of ordering and coordinating the installation of all of the play equipment and spray equipment.  The successful proponent will work with the excavation company and all other sub-trades required to complete the project.