Council approves $6.52 million contract for new Park City aquatics facility

Park City Council on June 10 authorized a construction contract for a new aquatics facility after staff reported a low bid that was well under the architect’s original estimate.

“Bid opening was also conducted on May 29 for the new aquatics facility. A total of 7 pool and general contractor companies were solicited with the city receiving 2 bids,” staff told the council and said Don Langer Construction submitted the low combined bid of $6,521,600 for the base bid and all seven alternates. Staff said the architect's estimate for the base bid and alternates was $8,173,900.

Nut graf: The approved contract covers construction only; staff clarified the architect will be paid separately at 6.5% of the construction price and that the city will use temporary financing followed by general obligation bonds for long-term funding. Several council members noted the bid came in substantially under the original budget authorization.

Details and discussion: Staff listed Don Langer’s bid items: a pool package base bid of $5,799,000; Alternate 1 (splash pad) $367,000; Alternate 2 (shade structure) $13,000; Alternate 3 (climbing wall) $42,000; Alternate 4 (aqua zipline) $23,600; Alternate 5 (nighttime lighting) $77,000; Alternate 6 (waterline extension) $188,000; and Alternate 7 (sod and temporary irrigation) $12,000. Staff attached the bid tabulation and an AIA contract template to the council packet.

When Councilmember Brandy Bailey asked whether slides were included in the base bid, staff replied that the base bid “includes the slides that council had approved previously.” Councilman Charlie Davidson and staff confirmed the base bid included two slides (one covered, one open). The council also discussed that the construction contract does not include architect fees; staff said the architect is paid 6.5% of construction cost.

Councilmember Charles Schwenke moved to approve the bid tabulation and authorize the mayor to finalize and execute a contract with Don Langer Construction in an amount not to exceed $6,521,600 to be paid from the capital projects fund; the motion passed 8-0.

The staff presentation noted the previously authorized total budget for the project was $8,125,000 and that the low bid is approximately $800,000 below that previously authorized figure. Council did not add conditions or direct staff to change the project scope during the vote.

Next steps include contract execution by the mayor and standard preconstruction scheduling; staff did not present a guaranteed completion date during the meeting.