Council weighs permanent pool enclosure; awards $275,000 contract to replace Kedron boiler

Peachtree City officials reviewed five options to replace the inflatable enclosure at the Kedron aquatics complex, heard new information about a leak in the large pool and approved a $275,000 contract to replace the pool’s boiler system.

Why it matters: The council is deciding whether to continue using a seasonal air-supported “bubble” that requires annual installation and removal and frequent repairs, or to invest in a permanent structure with a longer expected lifespan. Staff also reported a leak and long-term resurfacing needs for the large pool, and the city moved forward with a replacement boiler to stabilize operations.

Facilities staff presented five enclosure options ranging from a new air-supported structure (shorter life expectancy) to permanent insulated structures and fabric or metal buildings; budgetary estimates ranged from roughly $1.5 million for a new air-supported solution up to multiple millions for permanent structures. Option 4 — a permanent insulated aluminum structure with a quoted verbal price in the $1.62–$2.0 million range for materials, delivery and installation — drew particular interest because vendors indicated shorter lead times and a longer life expectancy (quoted warranties of up to 50 years for structural materials were mentioned).

Staff noted several additional capital issues: the large pool has five layers of plaster and will need full resurfacing within three to five years, a multi-inch-per-day leak in the large pool that staff estimated could be losing the equivalent of several thousand gallons per day (roughly 1.5–2.5 inches per 24 hours, on the order of 4,000–7,000 gallons), and that retaining the current bubble for a single additional season would likely cost in the low tens of thousands for mechanical repairs plus takedown costs.

On the mechanical side, staff recommended awarding the construction contract for the new boiler and heating system to J M Clayton Company for $275,000. The recommended funding plan applies a $150,000 private donation previously received toward the project and draws $125,000 from CIP contingency for the balance. Council moved, seconded and approved the award at the work session.

Council direction on enclosure options: Several council members favored pursuing the permanent-structure option (option 4) for further design and cost refinement. Staff was asked to obtain detailed engineering, firm quotes for the structure that best meets council’s design and light/transparency preferences (including options for roll-up doors or translucent roofing), and to schedule site visits to nearby installations (Chamblee and Jefferson were cited as examples) before any final budget commitment. Staff also said lead times for permanent structures could be shorter for certain vendors (one vendor gave a materials lead time of about one month and 17–20 days for installation once materials arrive), whereas other options had lead times up to 12–16 months.

Next steps and timing: Staff will obtain detailed engineering estimates and firm vendor quotes for council review; if council wants a permanent structure, staff said it would also need to analyze funding options, including a possible facilities bond to spread costs over time. Separately, staff will proceed with the boiler replacement contract and schedule the leak-detection testing (quoted at $3,000) and follow-on repairs.

Ending: Council members said they want more detailed, itemized cost estimates and engineering work before committing to a particular enclosure but supported detailed work on option 4 and approved the immediate boiler replacement to keep the pool operable.