Maximum price set for rec center renovation

Charles Oliver, The Daily Citizen, Dalton, Ga.
·2 min read

May 21—The renovation of Dalton's John Davis Recreation Center should be "substantially complete" by Aug. 31, 2025, according to City Administrator Andrew Parker.

City Council members voted 4-0 Monday to amend the contract with Felker Construction of Dalton to set a maximum price for the project of $11.643 million. Mayor Annalee Harlan Sams typically votes only if there is a tie.

The council chose Felker as the contractor-at-risk for the renovation in September 2022. A contractor-at-risk agrees to deliver a project at a maximum price and in return is involved in the design of the project. The contract includes all of the contractor's overhead, profit and fees, as well as the building construction, design fees, project furnishings, site work and any contingencies.

"We plan to issue notice to proceed this week once the contractor provides the necessary bonds and certificates of insurance," Parker said.

The renovation will be paid for from the 2020 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and other funds. Plans call for a complete renovation of the 1986 portion of the building, which includes all of the administrative offices and the conference and assembly space upstairs. In addition, plans call for a new gym where the current gym is as well as a new entrance and lobby and a new "pool access building."

The council members also voted 4-0 to approve a $19,968 contract with Geo-Hydro Engineers of Kennesaw to conduct sub-grade evaluations and soil density testing, foundation-bearing surface evaluations, concrete testing, masonry testing and structural steel inspection and testing at the site of the new building.

"Previously, all access to the pool was through the primary building," said Parker. "So the locker rooms, restrooms, mechanical equipment was all within the footprint of the existing building."

After the renovation is complete, people will access the pool through the new building, which will have locker rooms and restrooms.

Parker said officials are not currently planning any work on the pool.

"But we have been having some discussions internally and with the architect and contractor about a potential change in the design of that pool to widen that pool," he said.

Parker said that would require a change order in the contract and would have to be approved by the City Council members.