NEWS: Pawnee Plunge Water Park construction delayed again

[jedimaster1227]

http://columbustelegram.com/news/local/plunge-construction-pushed-back-again/article_bf8fb9ac-7d49-5538-8dd9-a14115c5e961.html

 

The anticipated start time for the Pawnee Plunge Water Park expansion has been pushed back again. Now, construction on the approximately $3.6 million project isn’t expected to begin until after the 2014 season ends in August.

 

Doug Moore, the city’s public property director, updated the construction schedule during this week’s Columbus Board of Parks Commissioners meeting.

 

The project’s design consultant — Water’s Edge Aquatic Design of Lenexa, Kan. — originally outlined a schedule that had construction beginning in late summer or early fall of 2013, with the possibility of the addition, or at least some portions, opening for this year’s swimming season. However, that date has been adjusted several times since last summer.

 

On Tuesday, Moore called the preliminary schedule set by Water’s Edge Aquatic Design “ambitious” and said a delay will likely benefit Plunge users. Because the new time table moves all construction activities to the off-season, Moore said patrons won’t have to deal with the noise and mess that accompany the work. The project will be completed by the water park’s May opening in 2015, he said.

 

According to Moore, city staff met with the design consultant and construction manager at-risk — Carrothers Construction Company of Paola, Kan. — last month to review the project. He said the final designs are 30 percent complete and an initial price estimate provided by the construction manager is close to the $3.6 million budget.

 

The two companies will continue to “tweak” the numbers before the city negotiates a guaranteed price with Carrothers Construction and makes a final decision on exactly what will be included in the project.

 

A preliminary plan that includes the addition of a swimming pool, FlowRider, diving area, rock climbing wall, ship-themed play structure and other features was approved by the city council in July.

 

The city plans to issue $2.85 million in bonds repaid with local sales tax revenue to fund the project, which also includes an upgraded concession area and improved handicapped-accessibility. An additional $750,000 for the project also will come from sales tax revenue.

 

Moore also updated another swimming-related project during this week’s park board meeting. He said Columbus Aquatic Center will be closed Feb. 27 and 28 so workers can install a new water treatment system there.

 

Columbus City Council approved an agreement earlier this month that pays Aqua-Chem Inc. of Bellevue $35,383 to install the system, which uses ultraviolet light to treat the pool’s water.

 

Moore expects the new system to improve the water and air quality inside the Aquatic Center by reducing the chloramine level in the water.

 

Chloramines, which are created when chlorine reacts to sweat, urine and other substances introduced by swimmers, can cause eye and nasal irritation and produce a strong chlorine smell.

 

In other business, the board agreed to donate an antique grinding stone to the Platte County Historical Society Museum.

 

Moore said the stone, located in West Pawnee Park, was part of a display that included a log cabin before the building burned down decades ago. “It basically sits out there where nobody knows where it is or what it’s for,” Moore said of the grinding stone, which likely came from a local mill.

Edited January 31, 2014 by jedimaster1227

[KBrylczyk]

Here I am hoping for a Parks & Rec reference. Oh, well.

 

Also, must be a slow news day. Waterpark and then a grinding stone.

[Ryan P.]

Here I am hoping for a Parks & Rec reference. Oh, well.

 

Also, must be a slow news day. Waterpark and then a grinding stone.

All I read was Pawnee and instantly thought Parks and Rec oh well