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| Bids come in over budget on pool project |
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9/21/2018
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
Opening of the new community aquatic center by next summer is in jeopardy unless the project is split into two phases, the architect on the project told the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Commission Monday night.
That’s because the bids on the project came in at $3,091,764, approximately $900,000 more than what the commission has budgeted. Bids were opened Sept. 6.
Project architect Judd Hubbard and David Rhodes of The Walker Co., the construction manager, suggested to the commission that they install the pool itself, which came in within budget, and then rebid separately the features around the pool, including a community room, that could be built later.
The remainder of the pool project will have to be redesigned, the square footage reduced and cheaper building materials used in an effort to cut costs, Hubbard said.
“It’s pretty much starting over with our plans,” he said. “To bring this kind of money out of it you have to be aggressive.”
Hubbard said the redesign and rebidding process could take at least a couple of months.
The architect said he was shocked by how high the bids came in. There were 34 separate bidders on the project, so competition was not the problem, he said.
Rhodes said attempts would also be made to continue to negotiate on the bid prices.
Rhodes and Hubbard both recommended to the commission that they take advantage of the pool bid, which came in within what it has budgeted. The commission was receptive to the idea.
It features a competition level stainless steel pool, slide, splash pad and starting blocks. Pool restrooms and excavation would also be part of the first phase.
Hubbard and Rhodes said they would get commission chair David Charles an estimate on the first phase as soon as possible to see if the two-phase approach is possible financially.
“We’re still coming out with a really good pool that will be good for the community,” Charles said.
The Mt. Sterling City Council has to give the final go-ahead on the project.
The new aquatic center is to be built between McNabb Middle School and the Clay Community Center. The Mt. Sterling Water and Sewer System has agreed to lay four-inch water line at no cost.
The commission and the school board have agreed to a water line easement across school property.
The lone pool that was in operation at the existing location on the Bypass was closed in the spring after an inspection found it beyond repair.
The commission is trying to sell the old location with money generated going to the new project.
Parks and Rec Director Patrick Manning said there has been some interest shown in the old property.
In other action, the commission went into closed session to discuss personnel.
The commission will meet again in regular session 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in the maintenance building at Easy Walker Park. Meetings are open to the public.
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