Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Rec topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cabot staff seek promissory note to finish wave pool phase, say advertising fund will cover most loan payments
Summary
Parks staff told council the final phase of the voter-approved aquatic bond (a wave pool addition) was value-engineered from about $4 million to roughly $3 million; the advertising/promotion commission is expected to cover about 95% of annual loan payments and parks will cover the remainder. Councilers asked about traffic, secondary access and parking.
Parks and Recreation staff asked the Cabot City Council on March 2 to authorize a promissory note to complete the final phase of the voter-approved aquatic bond at the Cabot Aquatic Park.
"The original project cost was four $4 million and through value engineering we've reduced that total to approximately $3 million," Adam (Parks staff) said. He told council the advertising and promotion commission would cover about 95% of the annual loan payment and the Parks and Recreation budget would fund the small remainder.
Staff said the value-engineering and joint contracting with parks and the city had reduced costs from earlier bid estimates. Council members asked several logistical questions: how bids had changed since original estimates, whether capacity would increase and what vehicle and traffic impacts the project might create.
Estimates given in council discussion ranged: staff said the expansion could accommodate "another 120 or 200" patrons, while others suggested figures up to 400; speakers agreed it would be a substantial capacity increase. Council also discussed access from a secondary roadway on adjacent property, fire and emergency access, and whether additional parking or traffic signal work would be required. Staff said the planning process will address parking and access as the project moves forward.
Council emphasized the project completes a voter-approved bond initiative and that staff would provide more detailed financing numbers and a follow-up presentation. The ordinance to authorize the note was moved to full council and later adopted in the meeting; staff said no construction work tied to other actions will begin until required approvals and funding are confirmed.
The council also discussed that some earlier cost estimates dated from 2020–2021 and that general construction inflation had increased prices between design and bidding. Staff said they would provide additional cost-breakdowns and updated projections to the council prior to further action.
