"I think this really an exciting recreational enhancement for the community," said Commissioner JoEllen Reed.
The design
Mike Carroll of architectural firm Brandstetter and Carroll Inc. presented the newest pool design, which seems to have rallied widespread consensus between project planners, officials and residents.
"We've spent a lot of time looking at the design of this and we kind of gone through an exercise of looking at a lot of options as the best way to provide and aquatic services to this community," Carroll said. "This particular design here is the one we have been working on for the last several weeks."
Key features of the new design include a six-lane main pool with an 11-foot deep diving area and an increase in deck space from 10 feet to 14 feet. The main entry to the pool area has been moved back about five feet compared to previous designs to increase openness of the pool area. Removable play features such as floating climbing structures, a portable slide and a water spray will also be incorporated in the new design to increase play areas.
Planners have also reconfigured the building with a narrower and longer shape to build a separate warm-water therapy pool adjacent to the main pool. The warm-water pool may include a shallow area and underwater benches where adults can relax or small children can become acclimated to the water.
In case of an accident, having a separate pool for small children allows the small pool to be cleaned without interrupting activity in the main pool, Carroll explained.
Both pools will have permanent steps and railing in ease access, and the longer design allows for an additional 47 parking spaces. Locker rooms and restrooms are included along with two party rooms, allowing residents to host events at the pool. Additionally, columns along one side of the pool area could eventually support bleachers, even though bleachers are not part of the current design.
Capacity would range between about 200 to 250 people.
"I think we've come up with a design that has met the needs of the parks board as they have addressed the community over the last year," Carroll said.
Carroll added that the firm also plans to address energy efficiently of the facility with sustainability review and make recommendations on how the structure could comply with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Much of the pool's green compliance will come from energy management rather then construction he said.
Once officials give the design a final go ahead, Carroll estimated that construction could be completed in about 14 to 16 months.
Parks Board Chairman Charles Eury said the board has received heavy critiques on the new design from focus groups and officials.
"I feel personally that we have touched every base, we have flipped every stone that we know to flip to come to this design," he said. "I feel comfortable that the interest groups in the community are on board with this."
Project cost and funding
Aside from the design, Caroll also presented the newest cost estimates for the project, which now amount to about $2.9 million. Officials have stressed that the price tag is only a projection, and a final cost will not be known until officials approve a bid from a construction firm. Carroll said the estimates are based on bids from similar projects.
Brandstetter and Carroll projects that construction of the pool structure will cost about $1.5 million, while the two pools will cost more than $450,000 in total. Other large expenses are the locker rooms and a proposed $184,000 wellness area that may not be included in the final project. Planners have also included $248,000 of contingency money.
"This is a total project package," Carroll said. "There is nothing outside that I would anticipate that would go into this."
