Parks staff reported on May 15 that construction at the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is progressing and that the city is preparing staff training and equipment procurement ahead of occupancy. Staff also told commissioners that the City Council approved three park projects — the Veil Park splash pad, Ada Hayden Trail replacement and a park maintenance facility — and that staff presented funding options to close a remaining shortfall.

At the Fitch site, staff said the wellness pool is nearing completion and crews have begun excavating the lap pool basin, which staff said will be 9 feet deep. During excavation, workers encountered groundwater; staff submitted samples to Impact7G (now Eocene) for testing and said results may arrive within days. Staff noted a substantial amount of conduit and trench drains already installed and said they are aiming for slab pours and underground stormwater work later this month. The commission will tour the facility on June 19; staff said they expect to present more details about start-up and training plans as move-in and operations are scheduled.

Staff emphasized the operational complexity of the new facility. A parks staff member summarized planning concerns: the new natatorium has automated controls and interacting systems that require coordinated training so staff can operate and troubleshoot HVAC, pool water and mechanical systems together.

On other projects, staff said they received a proposal from Henkel Construction about the surface treatment for the Steven L. Schenker Plaza ice ribbon but returned follow-up questions because the proposal lacked detail about extent and materials. Staff said they are examining long-term durability questions and will not approve work until they understand lifecycle impacts.

The commission heard that the City Council approved three projects staff forwarded — the splash pad, Ada Hayden Trail project and the park maintenance facility — but staff told commissioners there remains a funding shortfall of about $80,000 across the combined scope. Staff presented three options to reconcile costs: do not award some alternates, use savings from projects nearing completion, or draw from park development or other reserve funds. Staff said the council approved moving forward and directed staff to manage award decisions with these options in mind.

Smaller facility updates included completion of concrete and installation of equipment at the new agility course (expected finish within days) and that the mini pitch at Lloyd Kurtz Park is near completion with court lines painted and fence and lights installed. Staff said contractors target completion of the mini pitch by the end of the month and sign placement and a possible summer grand opening will follow.

This item mostly consisted of staff reports and information; no commission-level ordinance or motion on construction awards was taken at the May 15 meeting.