RDA Approves Change Order for Jasper Pool Operations

Early Wednesday morning, the Jasper Redevelopment Authority evaluated an accounting of pool bond proceeds and discussed a plan for the remaining funds. 

A change order for approximately $250,000 was presented by Parks Director Tom Moorman for the purchase of some items for the pool. The board approved the request, noting that they were “identified as necessities after the first year of operating the pool,” and that “necessary changes or operating expenses to this project need to be covered.” The items in the change order did not go through a bidding process because they have already been purchased before. To be consistent, they will be purchased from the same sources as the ones in inventory. 

Two manual handheld pool vacuums will be added to the inventory, which should help to reduce chemical costs. A fire cabinet for the existing chemicals will be purchased, as well as two extra cameras for pool deck area. Also included in the change order is $2000 for a variance that had to be obtained from the state for the handrail that goes up to the diving board. A spare circulation pump will be ordered, since the pool cannot operate without a functioning pump. Pool chemicals will be purchased in December to take advantage of discounted prices. 
 
Speakers for the concession building still need to be installed, and two concession stand floors also have to be coated since that was not completed before opening. An additional double- door freezer will also be added to the inventory. Since concession sales far exceeded expectations, which Moorman described as “a good problem to have.” 

At present, the construction account has a balance of approximately $1.3 million. A bill of $474,000 is anticipated for the current contract, and the $250,000 change order will be in addition to that amount. That will leave about $700,000 in the construction account that can be utilized for other necessities. 

A final bill is not expected until the spring, and the board discussed the need to identify the status of the interest earned. After making those payments, a trustee will do a calculation to make sure that there will not be anything additional owed to the IRS as a result. At that point, the board can decide how to move forward with the funds and identify any other expenses that should be paid out of the account. 

Moorman said that there were some defects identified on the bottom of the pool and the pool surface after the water was drained. They will be addressed in the spring so that they can include any other issues that emerge after freezing temperatures drop. The pool will be repainted In the spring.  

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.


- By Drew Hasselbring