City Commission to consider aquatic center change order during April 16 meeting

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Jenn Rowell

City Commissioners will consider a seventh change order for the new indoor aquatic center during their April 16 meeting.

Staff is recommending that commissioners approve the change order to Swank Enterprises for $31,135.57.

The city is scheduled to open the new indoor aquatic and recreation facility in Lions Park at 900 29th St. S.

The change order includes, according to the city staff report:

cast letter changes: $20,541.92
key switches for gym equipment: $953.91
Knox Box: $837.32
sponsor signs for gym scoreboards: $564.65
FDC relocations: $8,237.77

The proposed change order will increase the total project budget to $21,049,435.43.

In November 2021, commissioners awarded a contract to Swank Construction for $18,349,000, which included the base bid of $17,995,000 and an alternate for $354,000.

Previous change orders were:

March 2022: commission approved the first change order that reduced the contract price by $244,655. The change order did not affect any of the amenities of the facility; changes affected materials used to accomplish a cost savings without jeopardizing the quality of amenities or facility.
July 2022: the second change order to Swank for $91,029.58 addressing plan review and permit fees as well as structural enhancements.
June 2023: the third change for $116,680.25, addressing structural enhancements and added three alternates.
September 2023: the fourth change order for $588,052.50, addressing site work, structural enhancements and added three alternatives.
October 2023: the fifth change order for $13,753.20, addressing structural and aesthetic enhancements in the office areas.
January 2024: the sixth change order for $52,978.33 addressing some functionality, aesthetic and safety enhancements in the HVAC system, exterior lighting, camera wiring and locations, exterior fencing, emergency eyewash and shower, and added an alternate.

The project’s budget summary so far is:

architectural services
- budgeted: $1,885,109
- expended: $1,684,998.58
construction services
- budgeted: $18,966,838.86
- expended: $16,665,332.64
miscellaneous construction/professional services
- expended: $166,351.58
total project cost
- budgeted: $21,018,299.86
- expended: $18,516,682.80

The new indoor aquatics and recreation facility is about 45,000 square feet of new construction and the project included site work such as excavation, new utility extensions, new parking lots, playgrounds, and landscaping.

The building will be multi-functional and will include a recreation pool, lap pool, gym, fitness center, walking track, multipurpose room, party room, locker rooms, restrooms, child watch area, attractive lobby with seating and fireplace, reception area, offices, storage and mechanical rooms, and an elevator.

The city received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for the project that was identified in the 2016 Park and Recreation Master Plan. The city will match that with $10 million through the sale of bonds by the park district.

The facility will be city owned and managed, but will also help the military with their water training needs for both Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard.

The facility will replace the Natatorium, which was closed in 2018 and is scheduled for demolition this fall, and once opened, the city will close the current Community Recreation Center in the downtown area.

The city dubbed the facility Aim High Big Sky during the conceptual design phase while pursuing the DOD grant but has named it the Scheels Aim High Big Sky for 20 years for the store’s $1 million contribution to the project.

The total cost of construction including seven change orders to date, professional services and miscellaneous
expenses is estimated to be $21,049,435.43.

The additional $1,049,435.43 of expenses not covered by the grant and bond issuance will be paid by donations received to date of $577,843.00, a tourism grant of $87,434 and the remaining $384,158.43 from park district assessments, according to city staff.

Any future change order will also be paid from park district assessments, which is projected to have a cash balance available for other projects beginning in December 2024, according to city staff.

The Bannack Group was retained by the city to “conduct a fund-raising campaign to address facility needs identified during the initial bid process, but did not have any identified funding. The fundraising effort is ongoing and not all the actual cash pledges have been received by the city. In some cases, the pledges will be received in installments over five years. It has not been determined if future donations received will replenish the park district fund or be used for [aquatic center] operations or other expenses,” according to city staff.

For more background on the new indoor aquatics and recreation center, read our previous coverage:

City approves new recreation fees, including fees for new aquatics facility

City proposes fee structure for new aquatics center; planning June opening

Commission approves aquatic center change order

City considering change order for aquatic center

New aquatic center on track to open in May, staff discusses operations, fees

City approves aquatic center change order

City Commission to consider indoor aquatic center change order

City receives $1 million from Scheels to name new aquatics facility

City to consider change order for new indoor aquatic facility

City approves change order for new aquatic center

Construction progressing on city’s new indoor aquatic facility