The city of Cheney's aquatic center development is facing possible delays due to unforeseen site conditions and the addition of some extra attractions, says Dan Curley, capital project manager at the city of Cheney Public Works.

The initial scope of the aquatic center project called for the construction of a recreational pool and a lazy river, a separate six-lane competition pool, a water slide, and multiple spray features. A 5,000-square-foot pool house building with lockers, changing rooms, lifeguard offices, and other community and operations areas also are included in the development.

The aquatic center is under construction at 115 N. Eighth, at Hagelin Park, in Cheney.

The vision for the aquatic center has been expanded since the project first broke ground in June 2024 to include a second waterslide, an aquatic obstacle course, a climbing wall, and solar panels for the pool house.

Costs for the project have increased by about $1 million from the initial $14 million estimate.

"Roughly half of the increases have been things that we elected to do," Curley says, referring to the added aquatic amenities. "At the end of the day ... when you add up everything, we end up being closer to $15 million."

Two Spokane-based companies comprise the design-build team: NAC Architecture and Walker Construction Inc.

Weather-related construction processes and shipping delays associated with the prefabricated stainless steel pool panels, which are being delivered from Italy, are putting the initial construction timeline at risk, notes Curley.

Previously, an estimated substantial completion date was set for May 30, with plans to have a fully operational aquatic facility available to the public on June 13. 

However, during the course of construction, crews discovered the soil at the site is unsuitable—either not compactable or too wet. Other water and groundwater issues also required additional time, funds, and geotechnical engineering to address.

"Those site conditions have slowed us down a little bit," he says.

The city of Cheney plans to operate the new aquatic facility. 

A new completion date for the aquatic center will be available this spring after a scheduled contractor update in mid-May, says Curley.

One option under consideration to provide a workaround to possible construction delays that could also help address the city's lifeguard recruitment efforts is to open the pool house separately from the aquatic side of the facility, he adds.

"We need to hire a ton of lifeguards and pool staff, and that's a monumental task, probably more challenging than the building process itself," Curley says. "We're going to have to start training lifeguards even if the pool isn't completely open yet. ... We'll have to get them out on the property to start going through our emergency action plans."

To help attract candidates, wages for lifeguards will be offered at $20 an hour and $22 an hour for head lifeguard positions, notes Curley.

—Erica Bullock