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Oasis Lawn Care was awarded the contract to keep up North Dam Park and the softball fields, Coulee Area Parks and Recreation District Chairman Phil Hansen said last Thursday.

Two bidders submitted proposals, Oasis and Mr. E’s.

Hansen said the Oasis bid was under $22,500 and details of the bid were more complete.

Hansen said the two bids were close.

North Dam Park came under the park district’s control last year after Grand Coulee gave up maintenance and the Bureau of Reclamation, owners of the park land, stated that it didn’t have money budgeted to keep it up.

Hansen then started the process of going to Electric City, Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam to get those municipalities to finance maintenance of the parks through hotel/motel tax monies.

Hansen said bids were opened and the bid awarded March 27.

“Oasis is going to get the ball fields ready for play in April and then the main work will begin May 1. Hansen said the contract was through September.

The parks group is trying to establish North Dam Park as a tourism center, offering some outdoor concerts throughout the summer season. A new sign at the park names it North Dam Park and Event Center.

Maintenance money will again come from the same three municipalities, with each pledging $15,000 for the season.

When the parks group got control of the park last summer, the weeds were already three feet high and it took the better part of the summer to get the park looking like a park. Oasis also had the contract to take care of the park last year.