Council approves urgent repairs at Albert Lea aquatic center, funds from bond premium

The Albert Lea City Council voted April 13 to authorize repairs at the municipal aquatic center and to fund the work from the bond premium previously set aside for facility improvements. City staff and arena/aquatic foreman Josh Heilman told the council the pool surfaces have cracked and chipped to a degree that would make opening unsafe without repairs; staff said paint chips in pool water and rough walking surfaces present health and safety concerns.

Heilman and Kathy Malakowski presented three repair proposals. The highest-cost option (sandblasting with plaster repairs) would cost about $326,000 and was estimated to last 10–12 years; Fisher Brothers proposed full-service concrete and paint work for about $223,000 but could not guarantee a June 5 completion; a mix of local contractors (Doug Sandblasting, Quality Pools, Dreyer Painting) gave combined estimates near $133,000 and could complete work by June 5. Staff recommended the mixed-contractor approach with a modest contingency and asked the council to authorize up to $140,000.

City manager staff clarified the repairs will be funded from a bond premium reserved for aquatic center, arena, theater and splash pad improvements and that using that premium will not increase the local levy. Councilor Baker asked about the paint warranty; responders said Dreyer Painting offers a two-year warranty and contractors would return to correct paint failure within that period.

Council voted to approve the work and funding source by voice vote. Staff will document the fund source and proceed with procurement and scheduling to meet summer opening targets.

Next steps: finalize contracts, schedule sandblasting and repairs to meet the June opening timeline, and include repainting as a future CIP item.