Board hears update on Warm Mineral Springs redesign; city to seek additional funding for revised plan

City staff told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that plans for Warm Mineral Springs have shifted from a full historical renovation to a hybrid approach that preserves exterior appearances while reconfiguring interiors and adding an open-air pavilion. Staff said commissioners will be asked to approve a second amendment to the design and engineering contract and likely additional funding before construction can begin.

In staff’s description, the facility’s two key buildings (described as Buildings A and B) will be handled differently: Building A’s exterior would be retained while the interior is gutted and flood-proofed so water can pass through without causing the same level of damage; Building B would be converted from locker-room-style spaces to single-occupancy restrooms with showers and two-thirds of the structure redesigned as an open-air pavilion. “Building A will have the outside remain the same. They’re basically gonna go in and gut it, wet proof, flood proof...so water can go through the building,” Aquatics Manager Devon Pulis said.

Pulis told the board the revised design will require returning to the commission for direction and additional funding, and that guaranteed maximum prices (GMPs) must be set before breaking ground. “We can’t break ground until we have that,” Pulis said. Board members noted the public perception that work is proceeding slowly and staff acknowledged the need to return with updated cost estimates and timeline items for commission consideration.