City pool renovation project saves over $1M with no general contractor hired

The Canton City Commission meeting on December 16, 2024, focused primarily on the progress and financial management of the new community pool project. Key discussions highlighted the project's budget adjustments, contractor management, and specific change orders that arose during construction.

During the meeting, officials reported that the original budget for the pool project was set at 8%, which was later trimmed to 6% to ensure financial prudence. The city opted not to hire a general contractor, instead managing the project through a pool committee that coordinated various contractors directly. This decision reportedly saved the city over a million dollars, although it also meant that the contingency budget typically included in a general contractor's package was eliminated.

The committee's oversight included managing change orders, which totaled 4.5% of the project costs. Officials expressed pride in staying well within the budget, despite some unforeseen challenges. Notably, issues arose with the installation of water heaters and window specifications, which required adjustments due to discrepancies in engineering designs. Fortunately, these changes did not incur additional costs for the city, as the engineers acknowledged their mistakes and provided credits for the necessary modifications.

Additionally, discussions included the installation of metal roller shutters for concession windows, mandated by updated FEMA specifications. While this change represented an additional cost, FEMA is covering 80% of the expenses, significantly reducing the financial burden on the city.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of careful project management and collaboration with contractors, as well as the city's commitment to maintaining budgetary discipline while ensuring quality outcomes for community facilities. The commission plans to continue monitoring the project's progress and address any further questions from the public.