AGENCY REQUEST FOR

A/E SELECTION COMMITTEE ACTION

January 2013

AGENCY: Department of Natural Resources

DNR Contact: Glen Clickner, 608.267.4585,

LOCATION: Blue Mound State Park –Blue Mounds, Iowa County

PROJECT REQUEST: Retain an A/E consulting firm to provide design and construction phase professional services associated with the design and construction of a swimming pool and splash pad. This project is currently authorized through 35% preliminary design only. The A/E fees will be funded with Agency Cash.

PROJECT NUMBER: 13A1U

Project Description:

This project will provide design, bidding, and construction for removal of the existing pool and replacement with a smaller swimming pool, eliminating the diving basin, and an interactive, nature-based splash pad area. Design consideration must include blending the new development with the natural character of the State Park, especially since many winter activities are based in the same vicinity. The pool and splash pad area should both be compliant with current ADA requirements. The project will also develop an accessible route from the existing parking lot to the bath-house and pool area, reconfigure fencing and safety barriers, and redevelop the picnic and seating areas around the pool. It is anticipated that existing plumbing and mechanicals will require modification, possibly complete reconstruction, to serve the new pool and splash pad development.

Justification:

This project will replace the existing pool that is over 40 years old with a smaller pool and splash pad. The walls of the existing pool are failing and the pool requires constant maintenance. A swimming facility at Blue Mound is a component of the Master Plan for the park and has been a key feature of the site, pre-dating the development as a State Park, when the Minix Pond provided swimming opportunity a few hundred feet north of the existing pool site. It is important for the Wisconsin State Park System to continue to attract families to the park to engage in hiking the trails, camping and swimming. The recent completion of the Blue Mound Shelter immediately adjacent to the pool area should increase demand for day use of pool facilities for family gatherings at the shelter. Downsizing the aging pool and replacing it with a smaller pool and splash pad will reduce operating expenses. A key objective is reducing staffing needs at the pool facility, particularly certified lifeguards, and the design of new facilities should reduce staffing requirements while maintaining public safety. Reducing the pool size and developing a modern, interactive splash pad should also reduce energy consumption, maintenance costs, and chemical usage.

This project has been submitted by the WDNR as part of the 2014-2015 State of Wisconsin Capital Budget.

PROJECT BUDGET: This project will fund design development through 35% and the Design Report.

Budget
Construction
Design
Reimbursable Expenses (Geotech, topo survey, utility assessment)
DFD Mgt / $
Contingency / $
TOTAL / $750,575

PROJECT SCHEDULE:

Schedule
A/E Selection / Feb 2013
35% Design & Design Report / June 2013
SBC Approval / Sept. 2013
100% Design/Bid Documents / Dec. 2013
Bid Opening / Jan. 2014
Start Construction / Mar 2014
Substantial Completion / July 2014

A/E QUALIFICATIONS: The A/E design firm for this project shall have experience in planning, design and construction for swimming and recreational aquatic facilities. Experience should include swimming pools and splash pads. It is anticipated that qualified A/E consultant teams will include Landscape Architects with experience in public pool and splash pad development and experience with the principles and aesthetics of nature-based recreation. Successful teams should also incorporate qualified MEP staff with current experience in public pool and splash pad facilities. A/E team members should have a working knowledge of Wisconsin statutes and codes related to public pool and water attraction development. Due to the highly specialized nature of this project type, qualified A/E consultants need to exhibit experience in designing, preparing bid and construction documents, and providing construction administration for similar public facilities within the past 5 (five) years.