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Waverly council approves plans and $8.13 million contract for new aquatic center
Summary
The City of Waverly approved final plans, awarded the construction contract to Woodruff Construction for $8,128,800 (including three alternates), and authorized bonds and insurance on the project; council members discussed cost-overrun risk, site features and an anticipated June start for demolition.
The City of Waverly on June 2 approved the plans and contract for the Waverly Aquatic Center and authorized associated bonds and insurance, awarding the construction contract to Woodruff Construction of Waterloo for $8,128,800.
Council members voted unanimously to approve Resolution 25-81 (plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated costs), Resolution 25-82 (award of contract to Woodruff Construction) and Resolution 25-83 (approval of contract bonds and certificate of insurance and authorization for the mayor to sign the contract). The motions passed on roll-call votes of 5-0.
The contract amount listed by the city includes the base bid and three alternates: alternate 1 (splash pad), alternate 2 (turf area) and alternate 3 (pool-area lighting). The council heard details about several site features: the turf area will be artificial turf located on a seating “hill” on the northwest side of the pool deck; concessions will sit on the far east side of the site near the Kids Kingdom playground; Kids Kingdom will remain in place during construction, the council was told.
Council members raised two main concerns during discussion: exposure to construction-market volatility and whether additional public fundraising beyond bonding could be used. One council member asked whether the contractor’s bid locks in material prices and how the contract treats price escalations; another urged more public engagement or fundraising in addition to bond financing.
John Mallon, Northeast Region President for Woodruff Construction, told the council that typical contracts cover price escalations that are known at bid time and that the company would work through suppliers and subcontractors for changes. Mallon said Woodruff has built comparable projects in the region, citing past work in Hubbard, a splash pad and work at Kate’s Park in Waterloo, and an ongoing pool project in Mount Vernon. He said project staff are local and that the company operates multiple Iowa locations.
City staff said there is contingency built into the project estimate for unknowns discovered during demolition, but acknowledged the possibility of additional unknown costs common to projects of this size. Staff and the contractor said they expect to begin procurement/contract paperwork immediately and to start demolition and site work in June, with construction continuing through summer and fall and into winter if necessary.
Council members and staff also encouraged residents to consider lifeguarding training and seasonal hiring ahead of the center’s opening. The contract and bond approvals allow the city to execute the agreement and begin preconstruction steps.
Actions recorded in the meeting reflect the formal approvals and unanimous votes taken on June 2.
