Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with REALM Collaborative, LLC to provide professional services associated with the Busch Park Ball Diamond Improvements 2025 Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $58,974.50, with a contingency of $7,500.00, for a total of $66,474.50
This project was originally for improving fields 3 and 4 at Anheuser-Busch Sports Park and the design is underway. This modification is to expand the project to include fields 1 and 2.
The opportunity presented itself for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to put in a bid to be the host city for the 2026 North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association's Gay Softball World Series. This tournament is the largest annual LGBTQ+ single-sport, week-long athletic competition in the world. This tournament would bring participants from 54 cities across North America to Columbus. In order to secure this high profile event for the city, this additional investment in the park is required prior to the start of the 2026 softball season.
Amount of Additional Funds: $66,474.50
Why Additional Services Were Not Foreseen: In July 2024, during an on-site visit between the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and iPRIDE leadership, a discussion regarding additional playing locations for other national tournaments iPRIDE may wish to host was brought up. From this conversation, the decision was made to utilize funding to fully upgrade fields one through four at Busch Park and convert them to turf fields.
Why It Is Not In The Best Interest For The City To Award Additional Services Through Another Procurement Process: Any changes to the early spring 2026 deadline would greatly impact programming and other organizations that have utilized the Busch Park fields for many years. 2026 adult sports programming at Busch Park will begin mid-April and will entail softball and kickball ...
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