by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- As the temperature increases, membership at the Cuyahoga Falls Water Works facility is expected to increase and the cost for the new Tallmadge Maca Pool has jumped in cost as well.
While Tallmadge residents are busy swimming other places this summer, construction will continue on the new pool. The city went out for bids on the project April 17 and received about five bids, according to Public Service Director Dave Kline.
Officials expected the project to cost about $2.5 million, but the pool is now expected to cost closer to $3 million after receiving estimates, according to Mayor Christopher Grimm.
The lowest and most responsible bid for general trades came in at $1.4 million from Cavanaugh Construction and the pool bid came in at $1.1 million from Astro Pool Company, Grimm said.
In order to bring the cost and the bids down, it was decided by the mayor to change some things from the original design of the pool.
"The parking lot will be done a little differently and we decided to replace the brick with a less expensive, but nice looking brick," said Grimm.
The city is expected to go out for bids again on the electrical and plumbing work, he said.
The electrical portion came in at $196,000 and the plumbing is $129,000. Both were 10 percent over the amount we estimated, Grimm said.
Also, the city received approximately $300,000 in inheritance taxes this year, which also may be used to help construct the pool, he added.
It was proposed in February to remove the current bleachers on the second floor of the rec center and to build two regulation size racquetball courts, add 54 new cardiovascular machines and install stadium-style bleachers by the basketball courts and indoor soccer field.
Grimm said the lowest and most responsible bid for the project came in at $533,000.
The cost for the project was higher because "the cost for asphalt, fuel, concrete and copper has skyrocketed," Kline said.
City Councilmember John Rensel said he felt the rec center project could possibly be done in phases, instead of all at once.
Council will discuss its options for the two projects during its May 5 City Council meeting at 7 p.m.
Since the new pool is currently under construction and will not open until the 2009 swimming season, Tallmadge residents are expected to sign up, at a discounted price, to use the neighboring city's pool.
Water Works is offering discount tickets until September. However, until the end of April a single pass will cost only Tallmadge residents $65, $124 for two passes, $165 for three passes, $206 for four passes and a pass for five or more family members will cost $248.
From May until September, pass prices will increase, but still be at a discounted rate for Tallmadge residents. One pass will cost $94, two will cost $177, three passes will cost $254, four passes will cost $331 and a pass for five or more people will cost $360.
Last year, when the original Maca Pool was open, 70 Tallmadge residents had passes to Water Works, according to Cuyahoga Falls Park and Recreation Superintendent Darrell Lovelette.
Water Works will be open June 6 through Aug. 24 with a bonus weekend for Memorial Day, May 24, 25 and 26.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3911