Downer's tender, along with one from Tractors Ag and Turf, was deemed to be "non-conforming" by council staff and was thus rejected, with staff recommending councillors approve the Recreational Services bid.
Councillor Stuart Bell said staff did not have authority to make a decision on such a large contract, and councillors had not been provided with the information they needed to make an informed choice.
While there was usually a confidential focus group ahead of any big decision, this had not happened in regards to the sportspark contract, he said.
"We're talking multi-million dollar contracts, it's not something to be taken lightly ... I'm over rubber-stamping stuff when only one option was ever given to us," he said.
Mr Bell was bristling after Mayor Sheryl Mai said she would forgive him for being "inexperienced" and alluded to the fact he may not fully understand the process. However, long-term Councillor Phil Halse said he too had concerns over the contract.
Mr Halse's main gripe was that while council's "premier" inner-city parks are maintained to a high standard, rural grounds were often left in the hands of community groups.
"I would have liked to have the chance to scrutinise and have a talk about the standard we expect from the new contract," he said.
Documents released to the public should fully show how contracts were awarded, he said.
WDC group manager infrastructure and services Simon Weston said councillors could request whatever information they felt they needed to make a decision.
Information was only withheld from the public domain when it was commercially sensitive.
Mayor Mai, who voted for Recreational Services to again take on the job, said she had complete faith in the staff recommendation.
