Pool Completion Date Extended 49 Days, to Dec. 23

The  on Tuesday night approved a request to push back the completion date to Dec. 23.

But the delay itself won't cost the district, said pool construction managers, as the work during the final 49 days will be covered by contractor  and Bollo Construction, the project manager.

Tuesday night's change order did, however, include a request for $84,147 from the project's . A major portion of this, $51,318, will cover costs to move electrical and fire alarm equipment for the .

(The other costs are included to the right in the PDF section, as is the pool budget as of October.)

Project manager, and retired AUSD facilities manager, Tom Murphy said the equipment relocation was needed because a temporary set-up had been required to make the Gen7s at the beginning of the school year. 

The  remains at $512,118, and the project is still within budget, the district said. 

WINDOWS CAUSE THE MAIN DELAY

The main reason for the 49-day extension, Murphy told the board, was a problem with that needed to be reordered from the manufacturer. Officials learned of the in October, and were told it would slow the project.

Murphy told the board at that time that the manufacturer had sent the wrong frames for the project, and that the correct parts would take some time to be created and shipped to Albany.

According to information released by the district Tuesday afternoon, "These windows and installation parts are considered specialty items" and had not been kept in stock "due to the slow economy."

Pool Director Amanda Garcia said in October that the window manufacturer had transposed a number during the order, which led to the wrong pieces being delivered to Albany.

Tuesday night, construction manager Devin Kokotas, of Bollo Construction, said the metal frames all have arrived, and installation should be complete by early next week. Stucco will follow.

Some of the glass is already on-site and will be installed after the stucco, and the remainder of the glass "is about a week out," said Kokotas. (Windows on the south and east sides of the building were affected by the delay.)

Construction workers have used plastic to protect the building from rain, Kokotas told the board, adding that his team has agreed to work weekends to complete the rest of the job as quickly as possible.

The Board of Education has approved two other change orders for the pool project: in February, for $21,224; and in August, for $140,712, primarily in connection with work on the Gen7 classrooms.

The  for the project originally was July 25, 2011, according to the district. In August, officials asked for a completion date of Nov. 4.

WHAT COMES NEXT

Kokotas said that, by the Dec. 23 completion date, the pools will be filled and ready to be approved by the state for occupancy.

Murphy said two basketball courts, with four hoops total, will be installed just east of the pool.

Bike rack location is still being determined, he added. It had been tough to find a proper spot due to a required fire lane in front of the pool, as well as disabled access, and nearby city property that will require an easement for district use.

Over the winter break, staff will test and monitor the Aquatic Center to make sure it's ready for the public. 

Pool Director Garcia said in October that the district was hoping for a soft launch in December; Murphy said Tuesday night an opening was more likely in January, but that Garcia would be the one to determine how this would unfold.

NOW HIRING: THE ALBANY AQUATIC CENTER

Garcia has been working to hire staff for the facility. Job descriptions are online here.

She said, in an interview in October, that hours would likely run from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 or 9 p.m., depending on use. She may cut this back if there doesn't seem to be demand from the public, but added that her hope is that the long hours will be convenient, and will get the pools closer to profitability.

The pool may eventually offer items such as swim caps, towels and goggles for sale. Garcia said she had been in discussions with the district's food services program to see if there is a way to make snacks available nearby. (Neither food nor drinks are allowed in the pool area.)

In response to questions from the community, Garcia said parking would be the same as it was before: in the neighborhood without additional spots in a lot. This plan was vetted by the pool's Sustainability Committee, she added. She said she plans to roll out an email notification system for neighbors in the event of large events at the aquatic center.

Garcia said she'd like to provide some type of seating outside but, like the bike racks, nearby real estate is somewhat slim, making it hard to find the right spots.

Garcia said she has many ideas for building out the program, with a focus on aiming for eventual profitability. It's likely to pose a challenge, she cautioned.

"Right now, we're in the beginning phases where it's still growing," she said. "You have to realize that there are not very many facilities that operate in the black. Most of them operate in the red. But we're going to try our best to break even." 

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