In the third meeting in two days, on Friday, July 13, the Cook County Community Center Steering Committee got down to what may be the most difficult part of the community center planning—determining what goes and what stays in the community center proposal to stay within the $9.5 million budgeted by the county board.
The steering committee got a lot of feedback at an afternoon meeting of the county, school and steering committee on July 12, however there was very little input later at an evening public comment meeting. In fact there were only three citizens in attendance who were not on the steering committee or another government board. There were few questions and only one concern raised regarding the wisdom of the county affiliating itself with the Christianity-based YMCA. The issue was not discussed at the public meeting, but the next day Steering Committee Member/ISD166 Superintendent Beth Schwarz said, “We need to make the public aware that this is not a church attached to the school.”
Steering committee members expressed dismay over the lack of more in-depth public input at this stage before reviewing the almost-finished schematic drawings by Meyer Group and JLG Architects.
Difficult design decisions ahead
Wade Cole of ORB Management presented estimates for the latest configuration and shared the news that the plans as presented were 8.1 percent over the $9.5 million budgeted.
The schematic includes different costs per square foot for different areas, with the aquatic area being the most expensive. He said the estimate was $350 per sq. foot for the pool; $220 for the hot tub/sauna; $250 for locker rooms and $170 for build-out space around the pool. Cole noted that the buildout space around the pool would likely be higher than in other areas, such as the gym. The estimate for the gym buildout was also $170, which Cole said he thought was high. He said the gym work could likely be done for approximately $75 per square foot. That is an example of some areas where the estimated costs could be brought in line with the $9.5 million earmarked for the community center.
However, he said, some major changes would also have to be made. He pointed out that the most expensive part of the project was the swimming pool and asked if the steering committee would be willing to reduce the surface area of the pool, which in turn would allow the architect to bring in the size of the building.
If that was done, Cole said, the facility would be closer to the proposed budget. Reducing the size of the aquatics area would bring the current overage to approximately 4.5 percent.
“It’s not uncommon to be over at this point,” said Cole. “But 8.1 percent is high.”
Architect Dan Miller said with the 4.5 percent overage, the plan would be “close enough.” He said, “With these numbers we know what we can build—we just need to figure out how we can build it.”
The steering committee agreed to alter the schematic design to reduce the size of the swimming pool from 3,550 to 2,734 square feet, however, Steering Committee Member/ County Commissioner Sue Hakes said she wanted the public to know that the pool would still have four swimming lanes, plus a zero-depth entry/ recreation area and a sauna and whirlpool area that seats at least 12 people. A motion was passed to that effect, to assure the public that it would see an enhanced aquatics area when the facility was completed.
Other ways to reduce the cost of the existing design were discussed. Miller said the design could be changed relatively easily. The round roof could be a sloped roof. The number and size of glazed windows above the pool could be reduced and a canopy is not needed across the whole entry to the building. After much discussion, the steering committee asked Cole for his advice. Cole said he recommended that the group move ahead with the caveat that the look of the building may change in the design phase. The one thing that will not change, said Cole, was the aquatics area. “I understand that this size is locked in. But we need to make changes for reductions elsewhere,” he said.
Superintendent Schwarz said, “If money was no option— aesthetically I like the round roof better.”
Steering Committee Member Cathi Williams agreed but added, “To get the cost where we need it, I can live without it.”
The steering committee finally passed a motion authorizing Meyer Group and JLG Architects to move ahead with a final schematic design—with the understanding that the initial drawings will be changed to reach the budget target.
The design team will return with revised designs for the next steering committee meeting on Friday, June 20.
In other business:
The steering committee passed a motion directing Diane Booth to approach the county board for approval to complete the wetland mitigation process for the new ball field on community center grounds.
Chair Paul Sporn said it was time to start thinking about what the make-up of a Cook County YMCA board would look like. Commissioner Sobanja asked if the board should include representation from different geographic areas of the county or should the determination be made by different job skills? Sporn said Duluth YMCA CEO Chris Francis suggested that the board consist of civic leaders and people who are good at fundraising.
Sporn also asked the steering committee to consider reimbursing the YMCA’s Francis for mileage and lodging, noting that Francis had made numerous trips to lend his knowledge and expertise to proceedings. Sporn said Francis should be considered a consultant like those affiliated with ORB Management. And, Sporn said, he is not coming from as far as the others, as he is from Duluth. A unanimous motion passed to reimburse Francis for future mileage and lodging expenses. Commissioner Sobanja said, “He’s been very generous with his time and energy to date.”
Booth said she has been hearing from local teens, asking if there would be things like a foosball or ping-pong table at the community center. She said it is important to remember that younger teens need a place to “hang out.” She said that is a piece that has been missing at the existing community center and she said it was key to getting families to join the YMCA.
A space for teens, the best location for a “child watch” area, office space and more was discussed at length, with many discussions put on hold. Architect Dan Miller said the purpose of the current meeting was to attempt to finalize the schematic design. He said the next round of discussion would be more specific. “We will be asking, ‘Where do you want counters’ and ‘What color walls, carpet, etc.?’ The fun is not over,” he said.
While discussing ways to reduce the costs for the exterior of the building, Steering Committee Member/School Board Member Jeanne Anderson suggested not using brick on some exterior sections, but instead offering space for students or community members to create murals, such as the one on the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op. Other steering committee members supported the idea, noting that it would make the Cook County facility unique.
Sporn said forms are now available for community members to pledge their support—at an estimated $45/month for individual or $59/month per family—of the future Cook County Family YMCA. Sporn said there is no financial obligation at this time. At the public meeting on July 12, Wade Cole noted that approximately 30 pledge forms had been received in the first 24 hours.
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