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Construction progressing on Pasco Aquatic Center; local operating‑engineers strike poses schedule risk
Summary
Board was briefed on construction progress — tilt‑up walls, site excavation and interior selections — but learned a local operating engineers union strike has started and could affect civil work and crane operations; staff said they are pursuing workarounds and will monitor schedule and costs.
Design and construction committee members reported substantial visible progress at the Aquatic Center job site: precast tilt walls are up, decorative site (sire) walls were in place, pools excavation was underway and window/glass measurements were complete. Committee members also reported color and finish selections had been confirmed during a recent job walk.
Owner’s representative Jake Hartwig and design/construction staff said much of the interior and exterior finish selections were on track and that a prior make‑ready betterment (for ceiling brackets) had been completed to allow the Ninja course work to proceed.
Labor disruption: staff reported that the local operating engineers union had initiated a strike affecting the project contractor’s civil crew (identified in the meeting as Gaming Incorporated) and crane operators. The strike began the prior week. Staff said several workarounds were possible (for example, allowing other trades to continue tasks that do not require union crane operators or operating engineers) and confirmed the contractor had installed additional site security (double gates) and the project team was following protocol. The board was told the strike creates schedule risk and could affect overall completion if it continues; the construction contract contains delay and cost provisions to address events like a strike.
Board direction and next steps: staff and the design and construction committee will monitor contractor pay applications and contingency usage, assess what meaningful work can continue week‑to‑week, and report back. Board members asked staff to consider containment of cost impacts if the strike persists and to bring significant proposed contract changes or change orders to the board for review.
What the board did not do: it did not authorize a change to the GMP or approve additional contingency spending at this meeting beyond previously authorized actions. Staff indicated they would report back at the weekly owners/contractors meeting and to the design and construction committee so the board would receive updates before the next regular meeting.
