Carbondale Aquatic Center on schedule for October completion; trustees debate cutting a large shade structure to control costs

Town construction managers and parks staff updated trustees on progress and budget for the Carbondale Aquatic Center, reporting that the project is on schedule and that key milestones — including the pool-house structure and a glass-block mock-up — are imminent.

Joe Farstead, the project construction manager, said the team completed a cumulative schedule update in May and is tracking to a completion date in October. He reported underground utilities and site work are substantially complete, wet wells and dry wells are installed, and the project will soon build a mock-up of the glass-block wall and integrated lighting.

On budget, Farstead said the project’s original rough order-of-magnitude budget approved in December was listed at approximately $5.63 million. Change Order 4 was approved at a prior meeting and the project retains construction contingency funds. Several items designated as alternates — including a trellis with a PV array and certain plumbed aquatic features — were reviewed and the board previously authorized some alternates while declining others.

A contested staff decision discussed at length was the removal of a large engineered shade structure from the guaranteed‑maximum price. Farstead and staff explained the shade design had been listed as an allowance of $20,000 in the bid alternates, but the final contractor price came in at roughly $100,000. Staff also cited concerns about the cover material’s rating for over‑pool use, the structure’s operational complexity in storms, and the near‑term timing required to accept or reject the price while foundation work was underway. Based on those factors, staff declined the engineered shade and kept other shade options: in‑ground umbrella mounts and a trellis that will provide partial shade and host bifacial PV panels.

Trustee Ross criticized the decision as removing a key aesthetic and functional element promised in the project materials and expressed disappointment that the board had to make an apparent last‑minute decision. “We’ve promised a shade structure, and we’re removing it,” Ross said. Trustee Erica said she supported staff’s decision and emphasized fiscal caution given other budget pressures. Farstead and staff said the shade decision does not preclude adding a different shade solution later and that lower-cost or cantilevered options could be explored in the future.

Staff also reported fundraising progress: the town’s fundraising total increased by another roughly $18,000 since the packet was prepared, and an additional donation of $2,500 was received before the meeting. Staff reminded trustees that most grants on the project are reimbursable, meaning the town will front costs and seek reimbursement. Trustees asked staff and the contractor to preserve contingency records and noted that any savings at project closeout will return to the town.

There was no formal board vote on the shade structure at the meeting; staff reported the decision as a contractor-price and schedule‑driven determination. Trustees scheduled a site visit and promised continued updates on budget, contingency use and fundraising.