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Mt. Vernon council approves Rec Center base plan with four‑lane pool; six‑lane option fails
Summary
The Mt. Vernon City Council voted April 13 to approve the Rec Center base schematic — a four‑lane pool and two basketball courts — with a schematic budget of $30,891,453. A separate proposal to include a six‑lane competition pool failed 3‑2.
The Mt. Vernon City Council voted April 13, 2026, to accept the Rec Center base schematic that includes a four‑lane pool and two full basketball courts, adopting a schematic design budget of $30,891,453.
City Manager Nathan McKenna told the council that the construction base bid is $26,992,729 and owner costs (including furnishings, design fees and equipment) total $3,898,724, producing the $30,891,453 schematic design figure. McKenna said the original construction estimate had been $20.8 million with a total budget then estimated at $26 million.
The council debated larger pool and gym alternatives before voting. Council Member Jay Tate moved to accept Option 2 — a design with a six‑lane pool and two bodies of water — at an estimated $34,206,244.09; Donte Moore seconded. Moore and Tate voted in favor; Council Members Joe Gliosci and Mike Young and Mayor John Lewis voted against, and the motion failed.
Tate then moved to accept the original base bid for the four‑lane pool with owner costs that produced the $30,891,453 schematic total; Joe Gliosci seconded. The motion passed with Gliosci, Young, Tate and Lewis voting yes and Moore voting no.
Council members and the design team, represented by David Kehm of FGM Architects and Greg Goette of Holland Construction, addressed questions about add‑on costs and alternates, including an optional third gym and multiple pool‑configuration choices. The Holland cost summary attached to the meeting record lists the base construction figure, owner costs and several value‑engineering alternates that could reduce the total. Holland estimated an added gym alternate at roughly $3,031,815 and listed pool additions for three six‑lane options ranging from about $2.4 million to $3.2 million.
Council Member Donte Moore said the city’s reserves could cover some overages and expressed support for the larger aquatic option and an extra basketball court. Mayor John Lewis cautioned that other capital needs remain, including what he described as an EPA requirement for about $10 million for the sewer plant, a needed new fire station and upgrades at City Hall. Council Member Joe Gliosci noted uncertainty about next‑year revenues while the state develops an interstate project that could affect city receipts.
The council recorded the vote and adjourned at 5:43 p.m. The order of business indicates no executive session was held following the action.
