AUGUST 18, 2021 – WECRD GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
This was a momentous day for the WECRD Board of Directors as we celebrated breaking ground on Phase III of the aquatic center. The Board is embarking on a $3.4 million dollar construction project that includes the excavation of the lap pool and recreation pool, concrete foundations, and all subfloor/underground utilities. Wright Brothers, our construction company, estimates this phase to take 8 months (weather permitting of course!). Once this phase is complete the foundations will be in place for National Guard IRT (Innovative Readiness Program) military members to erect the Sprung structure, which is an excellent training for the National Guard. Stay tuned as we update our progress throughout the remaining of this year and into 2022. This is such an exciting time!!
Pictured from left to right: Patti Ferrell, Chamber of Commerce Board President; Marsha Sellers, Past WECRD Board President; Scott Wendell, Lombard Conrad Architects; Lee Pierce, WECRD Board Vice-President; Doug Meyer, WECRD Board Member; Dan Gillies, WECRD Board President.
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June 2021 – The Board approved to move forward with Phase III which consists of all work to the top of finished floor. The cost for this phase is $3.4 million. This cost does not include the Sprung structure which is an additional $1.25 million. Phase III will take approximately 8 months to complete. In January 2022, the Board will look at purchasing the Sprung structure and once its fabricated it will be delivered to Mountain Home and hopefully be ready to erect in the Spring. Our goal is to have the National Guard (IRT program) erect this structure, which fits their timeline as well as one of their top training priorities since these structures are built by the National Guard for deployment missions all the time. We are currently working on getting this approved through the IRT application process. Stay tuned for a groundbreaking ceremony and construction to begin!!
Spring/Summer 2021 – WECRD is updating the construction plans from IBC 2015 to IBC 2018 per the adopted codes set in place January 2021 by the City of Mountain Home. Once these plans are updated the WECRD can go out for bid for the next phase of construction. This phase consists of all work to the top of finished floor. The erection of the Sprung structure is separate from this scope of work and will hopefully fit the timeline for the National Guard to come out and erect it. Our goal is to have this all complete by the end of 2021. Other work includes the creek bed clean-up project that is being completed by the National Guard IRT Program.
Fall/Winter 2020 – Punchlist items from Phase II were ongoing during this time. So was brainstorming and discussions regarding the next phase of construction. With the help of the IRT program we hope to begin the next phase Spring 2021. Stay tuned for the notification of bid packages and next steps for construction. One very exciting thing that happened was Marsha Sellers along with Ron Cox, designed the logo for the aquatic center. See if you can find all the innuendos, they did a fantastic job!
Spring and Summer 2020 – Phase II has begun and the finished product includes an asphalt parking lot, painted lines, islands, drainage swells, overflow parking, and light poles. This is an exciting piece of the project as it provides a visual of what is to come! The phase was smooth sailing and we couldn’t thank our design team and construction crew enough for all their hard work in seeing this phase through!
February 2020 – The Board approved to move forward with Bid Package Phase II – Sitework. The scope of work includes clear and grub of site, storm drainage including swales, concrete, asphalt, gravel parking lot, and more.
January 2020 – Wow, welcome the New Year, 2020!! It’s been a long road for WECRD (as you all are aware) but we are plugging away to make this aquatic facility a reality for all of Mountain Home and surrounding areas to enjoy! We have had some obstacles through the years but that won’t discourage us from pushing ahead. The Board met with the design team on 1/14/2020 to discuss our next steps. The major obstacle the Board faces is money. With no partnership opportunities, and small grants and donations trickling in, the majority of income is from the tax revenue WECRD receives. So the Board is looking at other ways to scale back the project to fit closer to the budget. Stay tuned on what will transpire. In the meantime, plan to attend our fundraiser luncheon on February 22, 2020 at 12:30pm at North Elementary.
December 2019 – The Donation of Labor Bid that went out in November was for the Innovated Readiness Training (IRT) Program that WECRD is trying to get with the National Guard to help erect the Sprung Structure and possibly work on certain components withing the building. They require a “non-compete” with local businesses so we advertised and followed their requirements. There were no proposals received by WECRD. (More information on the IRT program can be read in the minutes) In the meantime, construction was happening on the property this month and it was completed by December 21st. Thankful to have a mild winter to help move that along. The WECRD office was closed for the holidays and to spend time with their families.
November 2019 – The Western Elmore County Recreation District invites you to provide a donation of labor bid for Phase II of the Indoor Pool project. The scope of work includes HVAC, plumbing, electrical, building erection, civil, exterior improvements, CMU, doors, frames, and windows at the WECRD property located at 480 South 18th East in Mountain Home, Idaho. Sealed bids will be received at the WECRD office, located at 245 East 6th South, Mountain Home, Idaho until December 18, 2019 at 6:00PM, at which time bids will be publicly opened. No deposit is required to obtain bid documents. Bid documents including plans and specification required for bidding purposes are available or upon request by contacting Michelle Heins, WECRD Administrator at 208-580-2377.
October 2019 – WECRD received bids from Ytuarte and SunRoc for the scope of work in Phase I – Partial Site Work. Ytuarte bid out the sidewalk only and SunRoc bid the whole package. SunRoc came in $9,000 cheaper on the sidewalk estimate so the WECRD decided to go with them for the project. After further discussion with Wright Brothers (WB) the Board scaled back Phase I to not include; clear and grub of the site, cut/fill to subgrade, and off haul excess dirt. (Savings of approx. $144,000). SunRoc, WB, and WECRD went into contract for the services of sidewalk, extension of utility lines, pedestrian ramps, and site work on the first 40 yards of the property. They estimated this project would be complete by December 21, 2019 (weather permitting).
September 2019 – The WECRD decided at the August Board Meeting to go ahead with starting construction on the site. The bid package is for Phase I Partial Site Work and includes clear and grub of site, extend utilities into site, scrape and rough grade of site, sidewalk prep and concrete for sidewalk. Bids will be accepted until 6pm on October 2nd at the WECRD office.
July/August 2019 – The Summer is in full swing! Hopefully everyone is getting out and recreating in this beautiful area! WECRD has been busy presenting to local organizations to get the word out about the pool facility. Director, Lee Pierce and staff have been researching and spending hours on the Maintenance and Operation budget for the facility. We applaud Lee for his efforts as this is a difficult task since there is no other facility like this to get numbers from. The construction documents are 100% complete and LCA and Wright Brothers are waiting on our approval to begin the bid process. Lee checked on the building permit process and suggested the Board wait on applying until we are closer to being ready to begin construction. The Board will have a table at Air Force Appreciation Day to showcase the final renderings of the pool and answer questions the community might have.
June 2019 – The Board of Directors met with the design team to go over the final construction documents. The total cost for the project is estimated at $8.2 million. The WECRD has approximately $4 million allocated to the project so there will need to be grants and fundraisers to raise the additional funds. There is an alternate plan where the lap pool will be an additive alternate for bidding and will allow us to begin construction and if we raise the amount needed we can complete the project, otherwise only a portion of the building and one pool will be completed. The final construction documents should be ready in July and then with the guidance of Wright Brothers the Board will move to the next steps, permits and bidding.
April/May 2019 – During these last couple of months the design team has been working on the construction documents. Wright Brothers have been value engineering all components of the project to get a good budget number and the Board has been working on cutting costs. Final construction document should be complete soon and then the Board will work with Wright Brothers on the next step to begin construction.
March 2019 – WECRD has been busy getting the utility lines in the ground before the construction on 18th Street is complete. The Design team has been busy working out the final details of the facility. The Board will meet with the team again on April 3rd to go over changes. The Foundation has been busy researching grant possibilities as well as meeting with the Idaho State Senators for support.
February 28, 2019 – Scott Wendell with LCA and WECRD Board President Dan Gillies are filing the application with the City of Mountain Home for the Conditional Use Permit.The Hearing will be held April 1, 2019 at 6pm at City Hall.
February 22, 2019 – Design Development meeting with all parties involved. This meeting went over the mechanical systems, chemical systems, structural aspects, plumbing, electrical, pool systems, interior design work, and site updates. The WECRD Vice-President, Lee Pierce, has been working with the City of Mountain Home, LCA, Wright Brothers, and the civll engineers at The Land Group regarding the site. WECRD is rushing to get the sewer lines, gas line, water line, and communication line, in the ground before the 18th St. project is ready to pave that road. This is a cost savings to the WECRD even though its a little ahead of the construction timeline. Overall, the design plans are 80% complete and there are a few details to still work out, such as the filtration system that will be used.
January 8, 2019 – Interview day! WECRD interviewed ESI, The Ewing Company, and Wright Brothers for the Construction Manager / General Contractor for the indoor pool project. All three prospects were well qualified and brought their own uniqueness to the table. This made it very difficult for the Board of Directors to choose. They did however, make the decision, and voted to hire the Wright Brothers. We would like to thank LCA Architect for being there and asking questions and also providing feedback for the Board, they also brought updated plans, or I should say, refined plans. This is all becoming very real! Once the contract is signed they can provide WECRD with a project timeline and help finalize the design plans. Construction will hopefully be on target to begin this Spring. Stay tuned…
December 12, 2018 – WECRD Board, Staff, and community members met with LCA and WTI regarding the continuing progress of the pool facility plans. They had a civil engineer present about the landscape and site survey. This included discussions on the current water lines, fill dirt to comply with FEMA Base Flood Elevation, road access, parking lot and bus drop offs, sidewalks, storm drainage and water basin, sanitary sewerage and domestic water systems, as well as the low maintenance landscape plan with an automatic sprinkler system. LCA explained the various structural systems throughout the building, they also talked about the mechanical systems and electrical systems. They showed WECRD samples of interior finishes for flooring and public areas. WTI continued with the discussion on the pools and asked if there were any comments or suggestions. The Board asked about putting back in a warm up/cool down lane for swim meets. The cost associated with adding two lanes to the competition pool would be $300,000 and the cost to add it to the leisure pool was $150,000. The Board decided not to add the warm up/cool down lane and instead they would look at having tether swim straps. Otherwise, the pool design is great and the board is happy with the design. The next steps for LCA are to continue adjusting the design to fit the needs of the WECRD and the practical location of systems. WTI will look at adding the tether straps and show pictures of the play structure in the zero-depth entry. The WECRD next step is to hire a Construction Manager / General Contractor.
November 14, 2018 – WECRD Board, Staff, and the Foundation met at LCA Architects in Boise to discuss the schematic design plans. The presentation began with Nate explaining the new layout of the locker rooms, multi-purpose rooms, and storage space. Doug, with WTI, explained the pool design in further detail. He provided WECRD with three concepts of the leisure pool and the board made a decision on the concept they felt had the best flow for the space. WTI and LCA will continue refining the concept (takes approx. 2-3 weeks) and then they will meet with WECRD on December 12th to discuss the site plan.
October 23, 2018 – Water Technology Inc, and LCA Architects presented to the Board of Directors and staff about the indoor pool plans. The presentation included various features that the pools can have such as water geysers, water tables, ceiling water features, waterslide interaction features, etc. WECRD is beginning the ‘Schematic Phase’ of the pool design and with the guidance of LCA and WTI they will be able to finish the details of the plans. This process takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete. These will be the plans that move forward to the construction phase. WECRD has decided to hire a Construction Manager/General Contractor for the construction process, the Request for Qualifications will be advertised October 31st and November 7th with them due by December 6, 2018.
October 3, 2018- Meeting with LCA Architects – The board signed the contract with LCA Architects. Our next step is to schedule a meeting with the pool consultant, engineers, and architects to work out the final details on the pool design. A ‘request for qualifications’ (RFQ) will be sent to publication once the board approves the type of RFQ they want to consider, (Lowest Bid vs. General Contractor/Construction Manager). This will be voted on at the next WECRD board meeting. The most exciting part of the meeting was when LCA said they are hopeful that construction can begin in Spring 2019.
September 5, 2018 – The WECRD Board approved LCA Architects proposal to be the architect firm for the indoor pool project. Next step, LCA will draft a contract of services for the board to approve.
August 2, 2018 – We are Requesting Proposals for Architectural and Engineering services in regard to a project to build an Indoor Pool Facility in Mountain Home, Idaho. Proposals are due back August 24, 2018.
Project Particulars:
We envision a multi-purpose and multi-generational indoor pool facility that is approximately 22,000 sq. ft., complete with a six lane competitive lap pool, a leisure pool which includes a zero-depth entry, lazy river, and general use pool, there is also a whirlpool/spa, waterslide, and splash pad area. Also included in this facility will be men and women locker rooms, multi-purpose community rooms, office space and storage.
The WECRD desires that the new indoor pool facility be planned, designed and built in a collaborative manner with community input and task force oversight. We wish to explore and implement opportunities for this to be a state-of-the art facility, incorporating a sprung building design, and sustainability and energy conservation concepts, if affordable on a life-cycle cost basis.
The WECRD requests demonstrated competence to: work within a specific design/construction budget, maximize the use of space for an indoor pool facility while providing optimal visual appeal. Additional discussion regarding the specifics and location of the facility, budgetary parameters, as well as the project timeline, will be available at the interviews.
July 18, 2018 – Presentation of plans from LCA Architects
June 25, 2018 – Meeting with LCA Architects and WTI, Inc.
They provided us with designs and costs associated with building an indoor pool. The different options would be a dome/bubble enclosure, Sprung Building, Metal/pre-fabricated building, and/or conventional build. With the funds WECRD has currently, the Sprung Building is our first option with a potential for a conventional build for office spaces, locker rooms, etc. LCA Architects will be at the July 18th Special Board Meeting with their design(s) to show us.
“Sprung designs high performance tensioned membrane structures that take only days to customize and weeks to build. Our innovative building solutions are engineered for total design flexibility, all-weather performance and strength, long term quality and cost-effectiveness. (Sprung.com)”
Water Technology Inc. provided us with this great presentation of all the various pool options out there. Our goal is to provide the Mountain Home community with a multi-purpose and multi-generational pool facility. We will keep you informed on our progress. Contact WECRD if you have any questions.