A Topeka pool could be getting a $4 million makeover.
Shawnee County commissioners on Thursday approved the Parks and Recreation Department to begin contract negotiations with Wichita based-Dondlinger Construction for the Oakland Aquatic Facility project, 801 N.E. Poplar St.
While community input will be sought, initial plans call for the removal of the pool, which has outlived its useful years, and creation of a new one or an aquatic facility, said Tim Laurent, director of Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.
“We’d like to pull it up towards Sardou (Avenue),” Laurent said, “and we’d utilize the parking lot that’s already there for the Oakland Community Center.”
Laurent said the maximum for the design build services would be $4 million, which would be obtained by the issuance of revenue bonds.
“We want to essentially be able to negotiate this guaranteed maximum price, but when we say $4 million, I think it depends a little bit on what we end up with,” he said. “However, we’re not going to go over $4 million is the goal.”
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A design layout has not been created, but community input needed
Laurent said members of the Oakland community will be able to share their thoughts on what the facility should look like. Surveys have already been given to members of the Oakland neighborhood.
After the facility’s design is approved, he said, they hope construction would begin in 2024 and it would possibly be open by summer. This year, Oakland Pool will maintain its regular business hours.
Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
