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VIDALIA, La. — Planned updates to the William T. Polk Park in Vidalia continue with a bid of $3.6 million awarded on Tuesday to begin building the playground and splash pad for the park.

Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft, who was not at the meeting on Tuesday, said before the meeting that he is ambitiously pushing for the playground project to be built by the fall.

In March, officials unveiled the plans for an inclusive and fully accessible playground for children of all ages and physical abilities with a wide variety of equipment such as a zipline feature, a musical instrument, obstacle courses and more.

“It’s something to be excited about,” Craft said of the park at the March board meeting. “People are going to be coming here to play instead of going somewhere else.”

On Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen awarded the construction bid to Bayou Rapids Corporation for $3,629,150 by a vote of 4-0. Alderman Robert Gardner was also absent on Tuesday.

Funds for these updates were approved with the town’s royalty revenue allocation from the Sydney A. Murray Hydroelectric station.

Included with the planned updates to Polk Park, which is located adjacent to the municipal complex, are three to four pavilions equipped with water and power, four playground areas, a skate park, walking and bicycle trails, a disc golf course, and an outdoor fitness court for adults.

The pavilions would have space for large events such as birthday parties or family reunions. Sufficient parking and restroom areas would also be included.

The initial rendering for the project was done back in 2011. Since then, it has been modified to best fit current community interests.