The Bismarck Park Board gave its approval to phase one of an expansion plan for the Super Slide amusement park located within the district-held Sertoma Park.

Super Slide owner-operator Richard Fleckenstein met with the park board Thursday and provided a long-range plan that encompasses three phases of expansion over the next 20 years. The amusement park is celebrating its 40th year, and Fleckenstein has owned it since 1999.

The phase-one expansion will include moving the fence on the north side out another 35 feet in the fall, after the season is over. Plans are to build a novelty-concessions building, possibly yet this year, according to Fleckenstein.

There also are plans to bring a major ride to the park within the next three years at an investment of more than $200,000, Fleckenstein said. The amusement park's lease with the park district ends in 2009, but before the investment in the ride, Fleckenstein is hoping to work out a new, longer-term lease.

To make a sizeable investment in an expensive ride, Fleckenstein needs assurances the amusement park will remain open. He suggested a 10-year contract, with an option on an additional 10 years.

Working out financing terms based on a five-year contract, such as has been the history with the park district and amusement park, is difficult, he said.

On board member John Sagsveen's motion, the park board approved the phase-one expansion plans.

Board President Mark Zimmerman added that at some point the board will have to revisit the master plan for Sertoma and make some decisions on the park's future.

In other action the Bismarck Park Board:

3 Approved easement requests made by the Burleigh and Bismarck emergency management departments.

Emergency manager Mary Senger explained the desire to place emergency sirens near the entrance at Sibley Park and the Bismarck golf dome. The projects are in the preliminary phases, and the sirens won't go up any sooner than next year.

District director Steve Neu said the easements for the sirens would be long-term in nature, benefitting the facilities they will be placed at and the community at large.

3 Approved the purchase of playground equipment at Kiwanis park at a cost of $22,502.96 from Premier Playground Recreation Products. The Kiwanis will provide $11,000, the district's matching grant program will pay $5,000, and the remainder will come from the parks budget.

3 Approved improvements to the wastewater disposal facility at General Sibley Park at a cost of approximately $34,000 to Do-Mor Inc. The dump station at the park has been closed this season, waiting for repairs. The work is to be complete by Aug. 15.

3 Approved a call for bids to complete phase two of the recreation trail from Pioneer Park to Double Ditch. This portion will include trail from Sandy River Drive to Pioneer Park.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune. com.)