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Council hears update on Gemini Center rehab; GMP due in February, construction to follow
Summary
Fairview Park officials reviewed finalized design drawings and a pending guaranteed maximum price for the Gemini Center rehabilitation. The city expects to return to council in February for GMP approval and is planning quarterly construction updates.
Fairview Park Mayor and members of the Fairview Park City Council on Jan. 13 reviewed final design drawings and an upcoming guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposal for the Gemini Center rehabilitation, with construction expected to proceed after council approval of the GMP.
Council members were shown finalized drawings that have been submitted to the building department and were told the construction manager-at-risk is preparing a GMP. Roger Riaqi, owner’s representative with RFC Contracting, said the CMAR submitted a preliminary estimate in December that “is pretty close to the budget” and that the GMP should be ready for review in late January or the first part of February. The administration said it will present the GMP to council for approval before moving to the construction phase.
Why it matters: the Gemini Center is a long-discussed local recreation facility; finalizing the GMP is the next formal step before construction starts. Council members pressed for frequent updates and public communication so residents understand the schedule and impacts.
Council and staff discussed timing and public outreach. The mayor and council asked that the administration provide substantial project updates on a quarterly basis, describing construction progress, budget status and issues as they arise. Carrie (staff member) confirmed the city maintains an online project page and monthly newsletter blurbs; council suggested adding on-site display boards and other ways to visibly communicate work in the quieter design phase.
Officials described schedule expectations: once the GMP is finalized and approved, subcontractor releases will follow and construction likely will begin in late February or March. The city is tracking a completion target in January 2026, but staff said that delivery delays for equipment or materials could affect the schedule.
Design and safety details discussed included preserving the existing sauna, reversing the leisure pool layout to improve sight lines and adding a zero-depth entry to the children’s play area to improve visibility for lifeguards. Council members emphasized that staff must ensure lifeguard staffing and sight-line design meet safety needs.
On budget details, staff said the preliminary estimate carried design contingencies while the plans were not final; with finalized drawings, the design contingency carried in the estimate will be reduced and staff expressed confidence the GMP will align with the budget established by council. Alternates that will be bid but priced separately were identified and will be included in the GMP presentation.
Council voted to keep the Gemini Center item in committee for ongoing review and to request that the mayor and administration return with significant updates, including the GMP presentation anticipated in February.
The council meeting record shows the administration will return to present the GMP and that quarterly status briefings will be scheduled as the project proceeds.
