Council approves construction contract for Lee Penn Park swimming pool | Local News | waxahachiesun.com

2022-06-15 22:06:41 By : Ms. SUNNY FLY BEAUTY-Chrish

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A few clouds. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.

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The Waxahachie City Council awarded a construction contract for the Lee Penn Park pool and bathhouse project at its Tuesday, July 6, meeting.

Presenting the project to the council was parks and recreation director Gumaro Martinez.

“We want the council to consider the award of the bid to MSB Constructors for the Lee Penn Park pool and bathhouse project in the amount of $2,623,735,” he said. “That (bid) consists of a base bid of $2,379,265 and some alternates totaling $244,470 that staff recommends as well as part of the contract.

“Additionally, we are requesting that council also approve authorizing a supplemental appropriation from the general fund in the amount of $197,381 as well as the authorization to use $400,000 from the park dedication fees,” he said.

The alternates in the project include prefabricated lockers, 20-foot diameter cool-brellas, and shade sail canopies. Other alternatives include additional water play equipment, a security system, and storm sewer piping to an alternate discharge location.

Lee Penn Park was established in 1937 and has undergone several major upgrades that include a new covered pavilion, new playground equipment, new covered basketball court, new lighting, new football field, and new parking lot.

The pool has been in place at the park since the 1950s. The city determined that it has reached the end of its useful life.

Along with the new pool and amenities, improvements are being made to the pool house.

The city council approved the design contract for the new pool with Aqueous Engineering at its Aug. 17, 2020, meeting. The project calls for the demolition of the existing pool, putting a new pool in place, and combining the bathhouse and pool house into one common building.

“We are going to replace the pool and come back with a different layout,” Martinez previously told the Sun. “It is going to have three different sections. It is going to have a zero-entry section that will be for younger kids to use and spray features in that little area. Then you are going to have a section off to the side where you can do laps or kind of hang out in that section if you’re not doing laps and just do whatever you want.”

Martinez said another section will be dedicated to a new water slide. Currently, the pool is a rectangle with a shallow end and a deep end. The new layout has a multi-functional use and is tailored to all ages and families.

Martinez said staff has been working with the engineers and architects to value engineer some cost savings for this project.

“Hopefully, we won’t need some contingency funding and also maybe we can come in a little bit under the set amount,” Martinez said.

The council unanimously approved the contract, supplemental appropriation, and the use of park dedication fees.

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