By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The Olean Common Council on Tuesday approved a low bid of under a half million dollars to install a splash pad in War Veterans Park — less than expected.
The splash pad components were purchased two years ago and have been stored outdoors inside the fence at the city swimming pool until they can be installed.
Aldermen approved the low bid of $459,540 from PV Paving & Concrete LLC, Smethport, Pa., to install the splash pad.
Mayor Bill Aiello said the bid by PV Paving & Concrete was “a pleasant surprise” not only because the city got two bids, but also that the other bid was $2.6 million. He said the city had anticipated a higher bid than the one awarded.
Alderman Lawrence Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1, was the lone no vote. Alderwoman Jennifer Forney was absent.
Council President John Crawford, who first talked about a splash pad back in 2018, said construction is expected to begin in the fall and be ready to open by Memorial Day.
“I’m so thrilled to see this project head towards the finish line,” Crawford told the Olean star afterward. “This will change the summertime landscape in Olean and help bring in visitors for years to come.”
Crawford said the city had expected to pay as much as $800,000 to have the splash pad installed. The cost of the equipment was $800,000 and the city paid about $50,000 for engineering fees to Clark Patterson Lee.
The splash pad project was held up by additional permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the council president said.
The city pool, which sits adjacent to the splash pad site, will remain closed for this summer and next. The pool’s filtration system did not pass inspection by the health department and underground pipes need to be replaced.
That project will not get underway until next summer, about the time that the splash pad is expected to open. The pool will remain closed next summer and reopen in 2026.
Aldermen also approved a bid of $254,800 from Twin Tiers Construction for the North Olean Levee and Sewer Repair project. The sewer line which goes under Olean Creek behind the Times Herald Building began leaking last year.
During the public comment section of the meeting, Seneca Nation Tribal Councilor Odie Porter scolded city officials for not taking action sooner to prevent sewage spills into the Allegheny River, or Ohi:yo’, which means beautiful river.
“There’s nothing beautiful about it” after all the city’s sewage overflows, she said.
“Why are you not taking more action?” Porter asked. “There is no long-term plan for change.” She urged the city to consider applying for Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill funding to prevent the spills.
The city issued a press release last week urging residents to curtail their water usage during times of heavy rain when roof drains add to stormwater in sanitary sewers, overpowering pump stations.
