Window Problem Delays Pool Project

The delivery of the wrong storefront windows for the has cost the project four to five weeks, said construction manager Tom Murphy, in a presentation to the school board on Oct. 18.

Murphy told the board the wrong sort of window "was sent" by the manufacturer, and that getting the right version would take time. 

"He has to go out and purchase raw material," said Murphy, of the manufacturer, then ship it, treat it and have it assembled with mullion supports. "We're doing everything we can to make this (time) up." 

He said he couldn't announce a completion date until the windows arrive.

"I cannot assess the complete effect of the windows," said Murphy, "until the final window, we can touch it. I'm told it can be there within two weeks."

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

Murphy said site workers have tried to adjust the schedule to make progress despite the setback. They've also been working to make sure the project is safe, or can be made safe, from inclement weather.

The delay has halted the completion of exterior plaster work, Murphy said. Once the windows are installed, along the building's front entrance, which faces , workers will be able to make the building weather-tight. 

The pool will not be filled until the plaster is complete, to ensure that nothing gets into the water once it's shocked, Murphy told the board.

A financial analyst for the district said, at this point, nearly $642,000 of contingency money is left in the $10 million pool budget. Money that's left, he said, "can be used for future projects that are in line with the bond language."

told the board there likely will be two construction change orders "that may be significant," which would impact the contingency money. "I would caution you not to spend any money in your mind." 

Stephenson declined to provide additional details about the pending change orders. 

Albany resident Nick Pilch, co-founder of the , noted, during public comment, that bike racks were not included in project plans. Pilch said he and another member of the cycling and pedestrian advocacy group were working with the pool director to come up with a plan to install bike racks. 

Pilch offered several examples of notable bike racks, including some that were wave-shaped, and urged the board to "think big as much as you can" about providing excellent cyclist parking for the project.

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