The Carbondale Parks and Recreation Commission heard an update Oct. 8 on the town’s new all‑electric aquatic center, which staff said is structurally taking shape but still has unknown final costs that will require additional fundraising and potential grant support.

Eric Breidinger, Carbondale’s parks and recreation director, said contractors are installing major systems and much of the flat work and landscaping is in place. “They’re really cranking. It’s changing daily,” Breidinger said. He added that air‑source heat pumps and other mechanical systems are installed on the roof and that crews will begin plastering the pools in spring, weather permitting.

Breidinger told the commission the project absorbed about a $56,000 increase related to architectural and WEMBA fees and that architects pushed a portion of the contract out to next May. He said the owner’s contingency still holds funds, but additional weather‑related costs could arise when plastering and when heat tents are needed.

On funding, Breidinger said the commission extended a private capital campaign goal of $2.5 million to Dec. 31 and that the campaign will emphasize the building’s energy‑efficient, all‑electric design. “We wanted to do this right and do it for the future and and build an all electric facility with the technology at hand,” he said, noting the all‑electric approach increased costs compared with a gas‑heated option.

Staff told commissioners the town has about $200,000 budgeted this year to finish design documents and hopes to have roughly $1 million in next year’s budget for implementation, while acknowledging the full project estimate remains uncertain. “I think it’s really important for people to understand that we still don't know what this facility is gonna cost us,” Breidinger said, and urged continued fundraising and grant applications, including inquiries from the Colorado Energy Office.

Commissioners asked about timing for marketing, rental contracts and user groups; Breidinger said the department will finalize fee and rental structures over the winter and anticipates outreach to swim teams, kayak and scuba clubs and other community users. He also noted solar and mechanical connections will be completed after major construction tasks.

The report was informational; no formal vote or budget appropriation occurred. The commission’s next steps include continued fundraising, targeted grant applications and winter work to finalize operational contracts and fees in advance of an expected spring completion of remaining finish work.