The Ridgefield City Council approved unanimously a $31.6 million construction contract Thursday for the long-planned Community and Recreation Center, advancing the project after years of discussion and design work.
Council members awarded the $31,619,810 contract to Tapani Inc., with an additional $1 million contingency funded through the city’s public-private partnership agreement.
The council approved a separate $406,300 contract amendment with Aetta Architects for additional site and design work in response to comments from the Washington State Department of Ecology. This work will be funded through the city’s Limited Tax General Obligation bond proceeds.
Mayor Matt Cole said the project reflects years of Ridgefield residents’ requests for a new community gathering and recreation space.
“This is something we have heard repeatedly from the community… since we have not had a community center since the new library went in… that has been a missing component,” Cole said. “We talk about a full-service community, we talk about making sure that we build our community right, and I think this is a very necessary project, for everybody, not just a certain segment of our (community), but I think it applies to everybody.”
Cole said the city will need to carefully manage costs as construction begins.
“We need to be very, very diligent with this budget that we have because it is a very expensive project and any dollar amount of that will impact the end user,” he said. “I do not want to invest another dollar that’s gonna make this out of reach for one more family. I want every family in Ridgefield to have access to this community recreation center as possible.”
“Thank you, Council, motion carries, and we are well on our way to a new community and recreation center,” Cole added, following a unanimous council vote.
Current plans for the recreation facility include three youth-sized basketball courts, fitness rooms, a child-watch area, locker rooms, and an indoor track overlooking the courts. The aquatic area will have a six-lane cold-water lap pool and a zero-entry warm-water pool for lessons and family use, both with accessibility features. The community center will offer a lounge, a teen gaming center, rentable spaces, and a kitchen.
The construction funding will come from the city’s previously approved $15 million bond and contributions from private partners.
