Photo by Deb Gau The water slide tower is one of the features of the new Marshall Aquatic Center that is getting closer to completion. Later this spring, the city will be looking at concrete work for the pool deck, landscaping and equipment purchases, said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Preston Stensrud.

MARSHALL — Construction on the new Marshall Aquatic Center is progressing, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Preston Stensrud said.

“It’s coming along nicely,” Stensrud said this week.

Outdoor features like shade and splash pad structures are being installed, while construction work is also continuing inside the center’s bathhouse and mechanical areas. Stensrud said the city is also starting to look ahead toward concrete and landscaping work, as well as making equipment purchases.

Quotes for patio furniture and umbrellas, and for installation of an irrigation system, were on the agenda for the Marshall City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday. City staff said they were working with the Mattress Barn of Marshall to buy recycled plastic patio furniture for the Aquatic Center. The equipment would have a total cost of about $62,000, but Mattress Barn was also offering a $27,000 donation that would bring down costs for the city to about $35,480.

City staff is also recommending a quote of $29,587 from DeSaer Outdoor Creations, LLC, of Marshall, to install an irrigation system for landscaping at the Aquatic Center site. The quote from DeSaer Outdoor Creations was one of three local quotes the city received, according to agenda materials from Tuesday’s council meeting.

The material costs for the irrigation system were around $23,000, which would make the total irrigation cost around $52,675. City staff said there was currently $215,000 budgeted for landscaping for the project.

Stensrud said it’s been positive to work with local contractors and businesses on the Aquatic Center.

Construction has continued at the Aquatic Center site, although not all of it is visible from outside, Stensrud said. He said indoor electrical work has continued. Epoxy flooring in the center’s restroom area was completed, and work is continuing in the concessions and staff room areas, he said.

Outdoors, the framework for shade and play structures has been installed, as well as some of the structures for the center’s splash pad.

“It’s kind of nature-themed,” Stensrud said of the splash pad design. Some of the features that have been installed are shaped like different plants and animals.

Stensrud said construction crews had been taking advantage of recent spells of warm weather. However, they will need to wait until after the frost is gone before doing concrete work for the pool decks, he said.