The City of Swift Current continued to replace its aging equipment fleet last week with a big ticket item coming in well under budget.

City council approved spending almost $265,000 on March 18 to purchase a Case 721G Wheel Loader from Redhead Equipment of Swift Current.

The City's RFP process posted on SaskTenders attracted ten proposals from eight companies. Swift Current's general manager of Infrastructure Greg Parsons said seven of the options met their requirements.

"Each proposal was given a score in terms of price, performance, parts and service, and delivery," he said. "Upon completion of the scoring process, it was deemed that the best value to the City was the Case 721G Loader."

Redhead Equipment's bid was the lowest the City received, while some options came in at over $313,000. Trading in their 2010 John Deere 624K Loader was also part of the transaction and helped the City come in way under their budgeted amount of $375,000.

"We're getting good money for that old unit," Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal said. 

Parsons believes the City will have the swap for the new loader made by the end of May.