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Valverde Park shade shelter getting $337,554 upgrade
WILDART WATER1-8-11-12
Diane Hernandez, right, stays cool in the Manuel ValVerde Park water feature in Lathrop as she plays ball with her cousin Hector Hernandez. - photo by HIME ROMERO

The shade shelter at Manual Valverde Park behind the Lathrop Community Center has long been a popular community gathering place and location for parties and events for residents.

And it’s soon going to get a much-needed facelift.

Earlier this month the Lathrop City Council voted to approve a contract with G&G Builders for $337,554 plus a 10 percent contingent of $33,755 that will improve the facility so that it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

The project calls for the replacement of the existing concrete slabs, wooden shade shelters, picnic tables, and seating areas – which, if the 10 percent contingent is exercised, will cost the City of Lathrop a total of $371,309 to complete.

The winning bid beat out its next-closed competitor by just under $5,000 but was more than $300,000 less than the most expensive of the nine bids that were submitted to the city in response to its public bid request.

According to the staff report prepared for council consideration, the footprint of the popular hangout will be slightly expanded with the addition of larger concrete slabs that are reinforced with steel. The existing BBQ at the Lathrop Community Center will also be repositioned to accommodate additional seating, and new steel waste receptacles will complete the major improvements.

Small adjustments will need to be made to existing walkways and landscaping to accommodate the expanded patio areas.

While large parks like Mossdale Community Park in the Mossdale area and Michael Vega Park in River Islands continue to be popular community gathering spots, Valverde Park provides the same types of amenities for residents living in Historic Lathrop and areas of town that are east of I-5.

While funding was dedicated in the 2021/22 budget for the project, the city didn’t set aside enough funding based on the cost of the winning bid and the council’s action included using $45,000 from general fund reserves to help complete the funding pool.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.