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Carbondale parks commissioners told aquatic center faces shortfall if contingencies are spent; shade structure pulled
Summary
Parks staff told the Carbondale Parks and Recreation Commission on June 11 that the town's new aquatic center would be about $300,000 short if all construction and owner contingencies are spent. A custom shade structure was removed after its estimated cost rose from about $20,000 to roughly $100,000.
On June 11, 2025, Carbondale Parks and Recreation Director Eric Brenlinger told the commission the town's aquatic center project shows a funding deficit if all contingencies are spent and that the project team removed a custom shade structure after its cost grew substantially.
Brenlinger said the trustees recently saw a new funding recap that separates contingency dollars from secured funding to show the project's current position. "The truth in where we are today is we're at a deficit level if we spend all the contingencies," Brenlinger said. He told commissioners the project team is continuing to fundraise and that the capital campaign goal remains $2.5 million as an insurance policy against post-bid changes to the construction budget.
Commissioners were told the current immediate fundraising goal is about $300,000 from this point forward; the project team continues to pursue larger campaign targets. Brenlinger said some donations are already secured and that the funding recap will change only as grants or campaign revenue are received. He also said the project still carries substantial owner and construction contingencies, and that the team expects those contingencies to be drawn down as construction progresses.
The commission heard that the custom shade structure proposed for the shallow, zero-entry portion of the pool was pulled from the current scope after its estimated cost rose from approximately $20,000 to roughly $100,000 because of increased steel and other costs; permanent in-ground umbrellas and a trellis will still provide shaded areas. Brenlinger said the shade change was presented as an add-alternate the trustees could restore later if funding allows.
The discussion covered other budget items and purchases: non-plumbed aquatic play elements previously listed at about $114,000 were already approved at a recent trustee meeting, and the furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) line is budgeted at about $55,000; umbrellas for the pool have already been purchased and are in storage. Commissioners and staff also discussed a pending list of project change orders tied to lighting, security and other exterior changes that had not been finalized when the commission met.
Commissioners expressed concern about contractor communications and the process for pricing custom elements. Commissioners asked staff to emphasize clearer vetting and cost-estimating from contractors and owner's representatives so the trustees and public can have more confidence in projected costs.
Brenlinger said staff will continue fundraising outreach to nearby jurisdictions and entities; the project team reported prior commitments from Garfield County and described conversations with Pitkin and other nearby counties about possible support. Trustees will receive an annual project update at their June 17 meeting; staff asked commission members to attend the trustees' session when possible.
No formal vote was taken by the commission on project budget items during the June 11 meeting; commissioners received the update and discussed next steps for fundraising and communications.
