Thomasville approves $330,000 to keep Memorial Park pool project moving amid cost surge

Rachel Neilson, a principal with CPL Architects, told the Thomasville City Council on May 19 that the estimated cost for the Memorial Park Center and Pool has risen to approximately $6,770,611, driven by added program elements, upgraded finishes and sharp construction-price inflation.

"The really big item that is making a really big impact on that cost is just general cost increases in the construction industry right now," Neilson said, citing labor shortages, subcontractor scarcity, supply-chain delays and material-price jumps. She said lumber prices were "up 3-4 times what they were even just 6 months ago," and steel and other metals are up about 50 percent.

In response, Neilson offered several cost-savings options: removing the diving board, postponing a picnic shelter and Stadium Drive multiuse path, combining multipurpose rooms, removing some sunshades and switching from pole lights to flood lights at the pool deck. She also noted some foundational elements—such as slab work—could be included now so later additions would not require rework.

Council members debated whether to cut scope or find additional revenue. "My focus is on finding ways to find the revenue, not finding ways to cut the project," Council Member Scott Styers said. Council Member Neal Grimes said he shared Styers's view and urged using set‑aside funds for the project so the city could build the facility without delay.

City Manager Michael Brandt recommended removing the diving board because of insurance considerations and presented staff proposals for funding. Assistant Finance Director Eric Krpejs said it was "better that we get the $6M and keep our reserves than go get the $5.5M and take from our reserves." Neilson told Council the design would be bid in roughly 2½ to 3 months and construction could start about four weeks after award, contingent on bid results and financing approvals.

To help cover the higher estimate without cutting the core facility, Council agreed to reallocate previously proposed tax set‑asides: the previously discussed 2‑cent per $100 tax set‑aside for street maintenance was changed to 1 cent for street maintenance and 1 cent for Recreation Reserve. Council then moved to release and appropriate $330,000 from Recreation Reserve funds to the General Fund for Phase I (demolition and site preparation). The motion, made by Council Member Neal Grimes and seconded by Council Member Jane Murphy, passed unanimously, 7-0.

Council also awarded the demolition contract for the existing Memorial Park Pool to Laughlin Sutton. The motion to award the Phase 1 demolition bid was moved by Council Member Scott Styers, seconded by Council Member Wendy Sellars, and approved 7-0.

Next steps: staff will publish bid documents, accept bids in the coming months, and present award recommendations and financing requests to Council and the Local Government Commission as required. Council members said they would revisit optional scope items later if bids or funding permit.