Palm Bay Aquatic Center Repair Project Update
Palm Bay, FL – Work is underway on the concrete demolition and dewatering phase of the pool rehabilitation project at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center. The official start date for the repair project for the Palm Bay Aquatic Center pool is July 20th and work is scheduled to last 8 weeks. The rehabilitation project for the Aquatic Center pool will involve extensive repairs including the removal and replacement of the specialty liner, main drain, lighting fixtures, pump and filter system, and decking around the pool, as well as repairs underneath the pool and to the pool gutters. The project cost is $651,125 with an approved contingency allowance of $65,112 and the work will be carried out by Oak Wells Aquatics.
The Palm Bay Aquatic Center was closed in early 2019 after an investigation into unusually high water usage at the facility revealed a series of leaks in the liner around the lighting fixtures and main drain in the pool. The pool was originally constructed in 2003 using patented technology by Myrtha Pools USA, involving a stainless-steel structure and PVC liner.
Due to the specialized nature of the pool, the City sought the services of Terracon Consultants in summer 2019 to perform a pool assessment to determine the necessary repairs and prepare a scope of work for the renovation contract. In December 2019, the City initiated the bid process for the Aquatic Center repairs and received only one bid due to the limited market for the specialized repairs. Ultimately, the manufacturer Myrtha Pools USA provided a sole source memorandum recommending a partner with licensed and certified contractor Oak Well Aquatics.
At the May 21st, 2020, Regular Council Meeting, Palm Bay City Council approved the award of a Sole Source contract to Oak Wells Aquatics for the repair of the pool at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center. The City’s contractor, Oak Wells Aquatics, is a Myrtha Pools USA certified contractor and is licensed to repair and install the proprietary Myrtha Pools system components. By purchasing materials from Myrtha and using a licensed contractor, the City will receive a warranty on the work and related parts, including a ten-year warranty on the PVC liner and a reaffirmation of the existing structural warranty for an additional five years.
