Project Background
Responding to broad and persistent interest from many quarters, the city completed a Community Center Feasibility Study in 2011. In July 2011, Barker Rinker Seacat (BRS), a Denver-based firm was hired to conduct the feasibility study. The feasibility study was multifaceted, consisting of an extensive public outreach process, a market analysis, business planning, facility programming, site analysis and concept design alternatives with costs. This information was compiled into a written report that can be viewed under the documents tab. Five community workshops were held from March to July of 2011 to give the public and city officials an opportunity to weigh in during the process. The feasibility study helped identify the type of facility the community wanted and projected potential construction and operating costs. The findings of the study were presented to the City Council in July 2011.
In early 2012, the City Council directed staff to scale back the size of the facility and identify a suitable operating partner, both directives aimed at reducing costs. A revised facility plan was developed for a community and aquatic center approximately 60,000 sq. ft. in size. Proposed features include one full-size gymnasium, one family-size (reduced size) gymnasium, a cardio and group fitness area, a jogging track, and a child watch area. The aquatic component proposal includes a leisure pool and a 6-lane, 25-yard lap pool with locker rooms. The facility will also include several multipurpose rooms. A combination of terraced parking and surface parking will accommodate 300+ cars, and a new loop road will be built around City Hall to serve the new facility. The revised facility plan allows for future expansion.
In mid-2012, the YMCA was confirmed as the operating partner for the new facility. The general terms of a partnership were outlined and a MOU was signed on August 1, 2012, between the City and the YMCA. In the summer of 2012, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing staff to place an advisory vote on the November 6, 2012 general election ballot regarding the construction of a Community and Aquatic Center in Sammamish (Proposition 1). The election results, which were certified on Nov. 27, 2012, show that 12,700 Sammamish residents (53.65%) voted in favor of the facility, while 10,971 (46.35%) voted against it. On December 4, 2012, the City Council passed a resolution accepting the results of the election and authorized the staff to proceed with the steps necessary to design and construct the center, pending the finalization of an operating agreement between the City and the YMCA.
On February 19, 2013 City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an Operating and Management Agreement with the YMCA for operation of the Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center as well as a Recreational Property Ground Lease for the YMCA-owned property located adjacent to Pine Lake Middle School. On March 18, 2013, City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Design & Construction Administration contract with Barker Rinker Seacat (BRS).
