Bids are being accepted for the Kewanee Park District concession stand, located inside Northeast Park. The bids will include stand operation for 2025 with the option for the next two years.
The concession stand provides snacks for visitors to the swimming pool, softball and baseball games and special events such as the Fourth of July.
The Kewanee Park District will evaluate bids based on a written response to the invitation and will make a selection based on the price offered for space rental, the price for food and drink and the ability to comply with all the rules and regulations outlined on the Park District’s invitation to bid.
Director of Parks Andrew Dwyer said that this is the first time they have opened the concession stand up for bids since he took over as park director in March of 2021.
“We’ve had inquiries about it,” he said. “This is the first time it’s had competition.”
The current vendor was in place before Dwyer took over as director, but now there have been interested parties, which Dwyer said requires the park district put the stand out for bids.
Dwyer said the prospective concession stand vendor should be willing to work in partnership with the park district to keep up park district equipment and property.
“We want someone who will ensure our property is taken care of in the same manner that they would take care of their own,” he said.
Dwyer would also like to work with the vendor to make sure that customers can have a full day of swimming for $10. That’s $5 for pool admission and $5 for a snack, he said.
“All we’re really trying to do is make it less expensive for kids,” said Dwyer. “Our goal is to provide reasonably-priced food, safely and politely.”
The vendor must have proper food certification and insurance and be willing to open on days the park district has scheduled activities and offer snacks at a reasonable price.
Dwyer said he has already received one bid and is expecting another. The bids are due by Feb. 14.
Once bids are received, the Park Board will make the evaluation and award the contract at the Feb. 20 meeting.
The invitation to bid can be found here.
