Council approves amendment 2 to construction agreement for Ad Astra pool reconstruction, moves forward on $10 million project

The Lenexa City Council approved Amendment 2 to the construction agreement with Prosser Wilbert Construction, clearing the way for full construction of the Ad Astra park and pool reconstruction project and allowing staff and the contractor to proceed with the final guaranteed maximum price (GMP).

Parks and Recreation staff said the total project budget is “just over $10,000,000,” with GMP No. 1 (demolition) at about $253,000, the GMP before council for base bid construction at just over $8,000,000, and the remaining roughly $1.7 million covering design, engagement, contingency and other project costs. Staff said the contingency amount is “approximately… $270,000,” or about 4 percent of the construction GMP.

Logan Wazbear of Parks and Recreation summarized the project history, public engagement, and schedule, saying design work and geotechnical exploration informed the current GMP and that the team hopes to begin construction as early as next month to target reopening for the 2026 swim season.

Mark Clayton, president of Prosser Wilbert Construction, said the bid process yielded 36 bids across nine packages and that two pool contractors submitted identical bids for the pool package; after interviews the city selected Carruthers Construction as the pool contractor. Clayton said the demolition effort kept and recycled approximately 1,700 cubic yards (about 3,500 tons) of concrete to be reused on site as base and backfill material.

Allison Vandiver of SFS Architecture described key design elements: a single body of water with zero-depth entry, a leisure channel and deep dive well, a bathhouse with staff areas and restrooms, a separate mechanical and storage building, solar panels and mass-timber elements, multiple shade structures (with additional shades bid as alternates), and added green space within the park in place of some parking. Vandiver said the zero-depth entry and family-friendly features came from community engagement.

Council members asked about contingency, alternates for shade structures and a new park shelter, reuse of demolition material and geotechnical findings; staff answered that contingency is roughly $270,000 (about 4 percent), alternates for a shelter and additional shade are being held for future consideration, and the reused concrete will be crushed and tested as base material or backfill and be inspected and compacted per geotechnical guidance. Council Member Chris moved approval and Council Member Melanie seconded; the motion passed.