The Whitefish Animal Group is soliciting bids for the planned expansion of the pond at the Hugh Rogers dog park.

WAG, in cooperation with the city of Whitefish, plans next summer to further develop the water feature at the park. The project involves pond drainage, excavation, grading, installation of drainage culvert, an irrigation system, an aeration system, finished grading and landscaping and new fencing.

To prepare for this project WAG is soliciting quotes for the work. Initial contracts with one or more contractors for some of the work is expected to be entered into, on a fixed unit price basis, in early summer.

In addition, the city of Whitefish will contract separately for some of the pond expansion work to be done along with construction work planned for East Second Street.

The WAG park opened in June of 2009 and received an estimated 30,000 visitors in 2012. The nearly five-acre park allows for off-leash recreation for dogs and includes a walking path and benches.

A complete bid package for the WAG portion of the project is available for pickup at the Whitefish Parks and Recreation department at 510 Railway Avenue. Quotes must be returned to the parks department no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.

Contractors are encouraged to donate some portion of labor and/or materials, which is tax deductible and will be recognized in the pond area. Such donations will be a factor in the evaluation process.  For questions regarding the bid package, call Jim Lockwood, WAG President at 862-7760.