Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Legat Architects for professional services for the Aquatic Capital Improvement Program 2020 Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $187,530.00.
Learning how to swim and safely enjoy the water is a life-long skill. This recreational activity is a core priority of the Recreation and Parks Department. In 2019, the department completed a system-wide strategic plan to analyze the state of recreational facilities, programs, inclusivity, and access for residents to parks, trails, sports, and pools. A key finding of the plan was that the city’s aquatics program, serving thousands of youth and adults city-wide, was in substantial need of an updated capital improvement implementation program to determine how to handle the system’s aging pools, increased demand, and rapidly growing population.
In early February 2021, Ordinance 0161-2021 authorized the Department to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all of the Department’s 14 pools and spray grounds as well as the indoor Columbus Aquatics Center. A preliminary inventory shows that Columbus lags far behind cities of similar size with available pool space, access, financial sustainability, location, along with substantial maintenance costs due to aging facilities well beyond their service life.
The project involved a full assessment of all the city’s aquatic facilities, including operating costs, mechanical components, electrical components, interior conditions, exterior conditions, ADA compliance, programming constraints, and populations served. The project also included robust public engagement with key stakeholders and neighborhoods to help reach consensus on what trends, needs, and goals for success can be achieved in the next 10 years.
By modifying this contract, we will finish the master plan and advance the design of five identified facilities. ...
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