City staff and contractors reported steady progress on the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center during a monthly project update to the Ames City Council on Aug. 26.

Keith (city staff) said six change orders since the previous update totaled just under $5,700; overall the project has recorded 42 change orders totaling about $278,000, which represents roughly 13.26% of a $2.1 million contingency. Staff also noted a separate $1 million contingency set aside for possible soil-contamination mitigation that has not been used.

Troy of Story Construction described recent site and building work: parking-area shaping and permeable-paver islands, completed lap-pool basin with backfill, ongoing excavation of the recreation pool, rough‑in of mechanical and plumbing systems in locker rooms and pool-mechanical spaces, curtain-wall and glass installation, and sidewalk replacement on the east, north and west sides of the property. Contractors reported the natural gas meter has been set to allow building systems to be energized.

Troy said a known contaminated-soil area in the northeast portion of the site was not encountered during construction—construction stayed above that layer—reducing the likelihood the city will need to tap the $1 million mitigation contingency. On landscaping, staff and the contractor said seed and plantings will be phased with significant work planned in September and that the city’s turf supervisor will perform seeding to increase success rates.

Keith said the team expects substantial completion in mid‑January, after which the city will take possession, move in equipment, complete lifeguard and emergency-action training and staff onboarding. The team is targeting a public opening in March 2026. Contractors also reported that third‑party quality-control inspections of the building envelope have identified issues early and that the approach is helping reduce long‑term leakage and maintenance risk.

Council accepted the update and approved the monthly report.