City commissioners are edging their way toward consensus on a multimillion-dollar parks improvement bond proposal for the Nov. 6 ballot, although about $2 million separates the various options.

Mayor Jim Smith and Commissioner Sandy Oitzinger this week threw support behind a $7.6 million proposal to upgrade Centennial Park, renovate and expand the Memorial Park pool facility, and pay for some improvements at Kindrick-Legion Field.

The plan includes new water features at Memorial Park, complete with a double waterslide and a children's pool, along with new bleachers at the Helena Brewers stadium and a host of new attractions at Centennial Park -- including an obstacle course for mountain bikers, a dog park and an expanded skateboard facility.

Other commissioners suggested reduced-cost plans, and Commissioner Bob Throssell's $5.6 million proposal was the lowest.

Options include varying levels of money for each of the three parks involved. Here's a look at the differing proposals and what they could mean for recreation in Helena.

Memorial Park

Commissioners have supported a $1.4 million proposal to renovate the existing pool and the bathhouse, with officials noting the work is needed to maintain the assets.

The pool was built in the 1940s and renovated in the 1970s. The circulation and filtration systems need to be replaced, and workers would refinish the deck and pool bottom, Parks and Recreation Director Randy Lilje said.

The sticking point has been an additional $1.2 million plan to add water park features, including a double water slide, concessions building, spray-park features, a children's pool and a float channel for kids.

The children's pool would feature a gradually sloping floor and have no vertical sides, allowing youngsters to walk into the water, much like they would at a beach. The pool would only be about 1 foot deep, Lilje said.

While some commissioners have been hesitant to ask voters to fund the water park, four now are on board with the idea. Throssell supports the pool renovation and the new children's pool, but doesn't want other water-park money on the ballot.

Centennial Park

The master plan for this 49-acre park in Helena's core was priced at about $5 million.

The proposal includes a four-field softball complex, 2 miles of trails, an expanded skatepark, a climbing wall, a loop trail and obstacle course for mountain bikers, and other improvements.

Some Parks Board members have suggested cutting the taxpayer price tag to $3.75 million by reducing the number of trees planned, removing a proposed public gathering area and making other changes -- such as hauling in topsoil and replanting native grasses in a 20-acre parcel at the northern end of the park, instead of planting turf grass.

An alternate $2 million plan leaves the northern area as-is. A 3-foot clay cap over the old landfill makes the land unusable following wet weather.

The reduced plan also includes the notion of relying on local groups to raise some of the money for a number of features, including the skatepark expansion, the freeride mountain biking facility and the softball complex.

Commissioner Alan Peura has concerns about asking voters to support a bond that requires matching funds to get some things done. He said he doesn't want to see the work done piecemeal or see some projects fail for lack of matching money.

He supported a $4.76 million plan, which provides full support for the various options while reducing costs by using decomposed granite instead of asphalt on some trails.

Smith said it's a risk worth taking, noting the success of other projects, which required donations -- such as the soon-to-open ExplorationWorks science museum.

"I don't believe we're setting us up necessarily for failure," Smith said. "We could be setting ourselves up for success ... but that remains to be seen."

Kindrick-Legion Field

The Helena Brewers have requested $1.85 million in improvements to the ballpark, which also is home to local American Legion teams. Parks Board members have suggested $646,000 in improvements to bring the park up to minor league standards, including new lighting, field renovations and clubhouse improvements.

Board members also are asking commissioners to consider new aluminum bleachers and parking improvements. Those additional requests, when combined with design and administrative costs, bring the board's total price tag to about $1.2 million.

Brewers General Manager Paul Fetz said the upgrades would not only benefit his team -- the projects would enhance youth baseball players' experience and draw more tourism into the city. Some folks across the country plan vacations based on minor league ballparks. The enhancements also solidify chances the Milwaukee Brewers will keep the team in town, he said.

Smith and Oitzinger support the Parks Board's full request, while Throssell and Commissioner Paul Cartwright are behind the $646,000 proposal, which pays for work the city already had in its capital improvements plan.

Peura, while noting he's excited about the prospect of a renovated ballpark, said he doesn't think general-obligation bond money should be used to pay for the upgrades.

Aug. 23 deadline for decision

Commissioners have discussed parks bond proposals for two months, and the wish list of improvements from some City-County Parks Board members has dropped from $9.1 million to $7.5 million, with an alternative $5.75 million option also on the menu.

The bond proposals would add about $32 to $42 to the tax bill for property with an assessed value of $150,000.

City Manager Tim Burton said commissioners have until Aug. 23 to make a decision on the bond issue. Officials will discuss their options in at least one more administrative session in coming weeks in an attempt to hammer out the differences before formally asking for public comment in a regular commission meeting.