Bloomington hires Ratio Architects for Brian Park pool study to inform possible renovations and grant funding

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved a $59,300 agreement with Ratio Architects to produce a facilities‑condition‑based menu of renovation options and cost estimates for Brian Park Pool.

Tim Street, parks director, said the study will move the department from general condition assessments toward concrete options — including realistic cost estimates and combinations of improvements — that the board can use to make capital investment decisions. Street said the work will help the department plan for accessibility upgrades, bathhouse and concession configurations, pump‑room issues, and projected operational costs.

Street told the board Ratio’s work could also provide materials for a Land and Water Conservation Fund application; he said the fund’s award range could be in the hundreds of thousands up to about $1 million and that preliminary estimates would be needed to meet an August application timeline. He emphasized that this contract is a planning study and not a decision to invest in a specific pool.

Board members asked whether Ratio could extend its scope to include Mills Pool, which is experiencing an unconfirmed leak; Street said Mills was not included in the current contract but staff could explore an addendum or translate cost estimates between sites once the consultant begins work. Staff expects a preliminary report later in the year that could feed a public meeting and inform capital planning.

The motion to approve the Ratio contract carried by unanimous roll call. Staff will kick off consultant work and return with preliminary findings to support grant timelines and next steps.