Carbondale staff report construction delay and contingency drawdown for Wember recreation center project

Town staff told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission that key finishing activities for the new recreation center and pools — notably plastering of pools, installation of solar panels and landscaping — have been postponed to spring because plaster curing and solar permitting require warmer conditions.

Eric Bresling, parks staff, said the project’s owner’s contingency will absorb the higher costs tied to the schedule shift. He told commissioners about two additional scope-of-service requests that together amount to roughly $65,000: about $26,000 for additional services from the architect Land and Shelter and about $39,000 for 18 extra weeks of owner’s-rep work by Wember. Bresling said those added costs and other pending potential change orders would reduce the owner’s contingency but remain within the town’s contingency balance.

Bresling said the schedule remains aligned with a target public opening in May, with a technical certificate of occupancy (TCO) expected in January so staff can complete commissioning and training before the public opening. The contractor, he said, would return on-site in March and begin plastering in April, starting with the spa (which can be tented) then moving to the recreation pool and lap pool. He told commissioners that delaying plastering until spring should produce a better finished product and avoid starting warranties that then would sit through a cold winter.

Bresling described other budget impacts and next steps: masonry and interior work continue through late fall and winter; pending change orders include small-but-necessary scope items (for example, ceiling heights and chemical storage sealing) that will add to costs. He said rough figures in the packet showed an owner’s contingency of about $300,000 before the newly identified adjustments; pending additional services and PCOs would reduce that balance by roughly $100,000 if all proceed. Bresling emphasized the project team still plans to obtain a TCO in January and open to the public in May.

Commissioners asked for clarification about contingency tracking and installation timing; Bresling reviewed the contractor’s plan for training time and commissioning prior to public opening. He said fencing and most exterior flatwork will be completed this fall so the site will not be left idle over winter, though landscaping, solar and plastering will be completed in spring conditions. He noted ongoing capital campaign and grant pursuits to finish funding for final items.

No formal action was taken on the construction update; commissioners received the report and asked staff to continue reporting budget and schedule impacts as change orders are finalized.