March 2022 Pierre Mayor's Report

We have taken another big step forward toward building Pierre’s new outdoor swimming pool. The project is out for bid! The commission approved the action on Feb. 22.
 
Given the complexity of the project and nuances of the construction industry right now, we are taking a unique approach with this project. We’re giving the bidders the option of two different timelines.
 
They’ll bid the project with two different completion dates -   May 25, 2023 and Oct. 13, 2023.
 
We know the pool project is an involved one; we know there aren’t a lot of contracting companies without work to do right now; and we know the materials necessary for the project might not be easily procured. To balance those challenges and their financial impacts, we’re offering contractors more flexibility than you’d typically see in a bidding process.
 
We will know how well that strategy worked by the end of the month.  The bid packages are due back to the city on March 31.
 
As you might remember, this is a two-phased project. The first phase, which has been underway since August, was the earth work portion. Since then, about 15,000 yards of soil was excavated and replaced. An additional, 20,000 yards of soil was brought in to elevate the construction site out of the water table and to compact the soil for stability.
 
Some of that soil, the part used for compaction, will be removed before the second phase, actual pool construction, begins. That will leave a retaining wall that reaches more than 10 feet on the west side of the complex.
 
Here’s the fun part! The plans for the new pool include a shallow water pool, a multi-purpose pool that can double as a competition pool, a lazy river, as well as a new bathhouse and snack bar. If fully realized, the new pool will also include a shallow-water play structure, a speed slide, a drop slide, a raft slide, a kiddie slide, a zip line and numerous other water features.
 
The details about the pool are available at pierrepool.com. I encourage you to check it out.
 
The project has been supported wonderfully by the community. A giant thank you to all who have helped this project along. From the citizen committee that identified needs and design back in 2018, to the Capital Campaign Committee that’s been drumming up financial support since 2019, to the donors who are helping make the vision possible, and, of course, the staff who have worked behind the scenes to get us here!
 
This pool has been a long time coming. It’s going to be awesome!