Ridgecrest council approves AMG contract for Sergeant John Penny Pool complex with alterations; opening targeted summer 2027

At the Nov. 19 Ridgecrest City Council meeting the council approved awarding a construction contract for the Sergeant John Penny Pool complex to AMG and Associates, accepting the apparent low bid and authorizing a contract amount that staff described as a base/selected-alternate total of approximately $19,122,000 and a maximum authorization of up to $19,400,000 including a measure-funded contingency of up to $278,000.

Staff said three bidders submitted proposals and recommended AMG as the lowest responsive bidder following review with Willdan and the project design firm. Staff explained that several bid alternates were initially deleted to keep the project within budget but that the council could add back selected alternates prior to award or during the contract if funding is available. The removed alternates included a Hawk pedestrian crosswalk (which staff recommended pursuing via grant), certain outdoor finishes adjacent to the senior center, a covered trellis on the entryway and some interior tile work. Staff noted an additional roughly $800,000 of solar work would be contracted separately during the 18-month build.

During discussion councilmembers and public speakers urged adding back items that address the area between the pool and the senior center and finishing touches so the site is not left appearing "blighted." Supporters said the pool is a long-awaited community amenity and that Measure P was approved by voters to fund such projects. Opponents and callers raised concerns about cost escalation from earlier project estimates presented during Measure P outreach and sought clarity on long-term staffing and maintenance costs.

After discussion the council moved to approve the contract with amendments to add back alternates 2, 3 and 5 (as listed in the staff report) and to exclude the Hawk pedestrian signal from the award. The roll-call vote recorded four ayes and one absent; councilmembers Blades, Rajaratnam, Heyman and Gorman voted in favor; Councilmember Endicott was absent. Staff said a groundbreaking was hoped for in December and that the construction calendar is an 18-month contract, with the project targeted to open in summer 2027.

Funding and financing: staff and the finance director reported available Measure P bond funds, interest revenue and reserves sufficient to cover the project and the selected alternates within the current projections; staff also said the general fund could be used if council chooses to add additional items beyond the Measure P allocation. Council directed staff to reflect any added alternates in the resolution and contract documents and to clarify which costs would come from Measure P versus the general fund.