Atkinson Pool repairs: bids exceed estimates; town staff weighing options and timing before town meeting

Town staff told the Sudbury Finance Committee on March 10 that bids to repair the Atkinson Pool arrived substantially higher than estimates and that the town is studying options including redesign, demolition/rebuild costing, or delaying action until more information is ready for Town Meeting.

Andy, speaking for the town, said the most recent bids were "about 40% higher than the estimate." He said staff convened the architect, ownerproject manager, facilities director and health director to determine why bids diverged from the 2024 estimate, to identify exactly what a completed repair would deliver, and to cost a full demolition-and-rebuild alternative.

Victor told the committee the Atkinson Pool had not seen substantial capital investments in recent years and that the town had earlier purchased parts to correct chlorine and related issues after a Board of Health order: "We had to shut down the Atkinson pool. As you recall, the board of health, shut the pool down due to, the chlorine levels and everything, and then we had to go out and purchase a capital purchase to be able to continue to, you know, get the pool up and running." He said staff were monitoring final costs and expected a specific number before town meeting.

Committee members said they wanted clearer answers so voters could judge tradeoffs between a targeted repair and full replacement; Andy said the town might delay the warrant article to give residents time to review options and costs. No final decision on the pool article was made at the March 10 meeting.

Ending: Staff will return with updated bid analysis, a demolition/rebuild estimate and a recommendation on whether to proceed at the upcoming Town Meeting.