Council approves $800K+ Surerus Park Playground Construction project contract

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The city has approved a tender for the Surerus Park Playground Construction project for a total amount of more than $800,000. 

During the May 25th Fort St. John council meeting, the council approved awarding a tender for the project to Maple Ridge-based Van der Pauw Landscaping Ltd for $859,076.00. 

During the January 12th council meeting, the council approved a contract for a Calgary-based playground company, Play Envy, to supply $253,461.45 worth of playground equipment. 

According to the report, the Surerus Park playground equipment did not meet playground standards and was removed to accommodate the construction of a new pavilion. 

The council had previously approved upgrades to the Surerus park in November 2025, with a new pavilion expected to cost approximately $1.9 million. 

This contract is for the installation of owner-supplied playground equipment, fully rubberized safety surfacing, a concrete playground edge, construction of accessible trails with lighting, installations of site furnishings and a hydrant for the new pavilion. 

The tender for this project was posted on April 7th, and closed on April 23rd. 

The city received four submissions with tender prices ranging from approximately $800,000 to $900,000. 

 The contract was awarded on May 11th, with construction expected from June to September 2026, and the playground is expected to open on September 30th. 

The report said this installation is part of the larger Surerus Park improvement project to upgrade the park’s recreational amenities. 

Previous phases included improvements to the soccer fields, additional trails and trail lighting, and construction of the new pavilion and washroom facilities, which are currently underway. 

The report said other improvements include the reconstruction of the tennis court, the addition of pickleball courts, a basketball court, a fenced-off-leash dog area, the formalization of existing path trails, and future parking lot improvements.

City staff said the tender price of $859,076.00 is within the estimated $1.4 million budget, which is funded through the 2026 Capital Budget. 

The Surerus Park playground design and equipment were selected through engagement with local schools, and students provided feedback on preferred designs and features.

To read the full report, see below.