Carbondale pool project running ahead of schedule but contingency strained after large change orders; fundraising and grants still in progress

Carbondale’s Parks and Recreation Commission heard detailed construction and fundraising updates Wednesday on the town’s new pool project, which contractors report is slightly ahead of schedule but facing large change orders that have reduced contingency funds.

The update, led by Eric Friendlinger, Carbondale’s parks and recreation director, and a campaign presenter, said crews poured the entertainment pool walls and have begun stripping forms, excavating the backwash tank and forming the bathhouse foundation. The project team described the work as roughly six weeks ahead of an earlier schedule projection.

The campaign presenter told commissioners that gifts and pledges stood at $1,583,410 as of the Monday before the meeting and that leadership participation from commission members and trustees is helping public fundraising outreach. Campaign activities described included paid social posts, targeted print ads, testimonials with donor photographs, a trifold brochure and planned volunteer booths at community events and first-Friday markets to solicit donations.

Why it matters: staff said the project can proceed more predictably if…