The Calvert County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 approved awarding work order 143818 to Centennial Contractors Enterprises Incorporated for $5,809,450 to replace aging HVAC systems, install a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof and upgrade lighting at the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center.

County Parks and Recreation Director Bob Bridal and the aquatics team told commissioners the work is needed to address repeated system failures, control humidity, and avoid periodic closures. Brandon Medea, aquatics division chief, said the proposal includes mechanical, electrical, roofing and scaffolding work and that the county is using Sourcewell contract MDR4GC030425CCE to expedite the project. “The total cost of the project is $5,809,450,” Medea said during the presentation.

The county plans to close the indoor facility on May 1, 2026, and complete the renovation with a targeted reopening during October 2026. Project staff described long supplier lead times as a principal scheduling risk: pool dehumidification units can take six to eight months to arrive and rooftop HVAC units typically two to three months. To reduce delay risk, equipment will be procured and pre-staged on-site before the May 2026 shutdown.

Officials outlined several reasons for a single extended closure rather than a phased approach: cost efficiency, structural and mechanical coordination, safety concerns when construction occurs around patrons, and reduced cumulative disruption for users and programs. “An extended closure allows for faster completion and better quality control,” Bridal said.

The presentation listed impacts on programming. The center’s therapy pool (maintained at 94 degrees) will be unavailable; staff said no comparable heated outdoor pool is available, so some therapy and water-fitness programs will pause. Parks and Recreation staff identified two outdoor pools—King’s Landing and Cove Point—as sites for expanded programming during the closure. Zachary Brickie, aquatics facility manager, said King’s Landing would emphasize lessons and water fitness while Cove Point would handle broader community swim needs.

Parks and Recreation told commissioners it will contact pass holders directly to offer either a prorated refund or an extension equivalent to the lost time. The department said it will also reach out to the U.S. Naval Recreation Center (NRC) in Solomons to explore potential access agreements and will coordinate individually with Calvert Aquatics Club, high school coaches and therapy providers.

Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff on schedule, contractor selection and impacts to competitive swimmers. Commissioners asked staff to prioritize communication and to work with the Calvert Aquatics Club to reduce competitive impacts; a club representative warned that missed sanctioned meets could jeopardize future sanctioning and local meet revenue.

At the meeting’s close of the presentation, a motion to approve the award of work order 143818 to Centennial Contractors Enterprises Incorporated under the Sourcewell contract was made and seconded; the board voted in favor. Staff noted the contract includes liquidated damages of $500 per day for schedule delays and that funds are available in the capital improvement plan line CIP 000105 (Hall Aquatic Center HVAC and roof replacement).