Renovation work on Globe’s Community Center Pool is moving ahead, but the long awaited re-opening day – originally targeted for this July 4 – has been pushed back to around mid-July.

The Globe City Council’s June 14 meeting included a presentation on the project by Structural Preservation Systems. Project Manager James Neville, citing supply chain problems with both materials and labor, said they now anticipate the pool will reopen between July 15-22. For example, Neville said, the water slide manufacturer was facing twice the demand with less available labor – and the water slides, due to be delivered July 15, are among the major additions. Neville said Structural did not see opening the pool without them, or the splash pad equipment and competition bulkhead, as an option. “We are hoping to give you a world-class facility,” he said, adding that trying to meet the July 4 target date would have resulted in “an inferior product.”

Despite the delay, progress on the renovation continues. The pool’s new gutters and liner arrived last week, the pump came in over the weekend, the zero entry is under construction and gas lines are being installed. Structural has been doubling up on labor when possible, and local contractors like Cemex and Oddonetto Construction are at work on the project.

The council was also updated on the Veterans Park and Community Center playground projects. City Public Works Director John Angulo said the new playground equipment was in place but that, in another supply issue, the projects were awaiting wood chips. Angulo said that, when they arrive, the chips will be delivered onsite and will take about a day to spread. 

In another presentation, City staff outlined draft versions of the fiscal year 2022-23 general fund and capital improvement budgets. Estimated general fund revenues included $7.6 million in sales tax; $3.08 million in state “collected” tax; $531,043 in property tax (though City Manager Paul Jepson believed this amount would increase); and $237,081 in bed tax. Total ongoing revenues were estimated at $14.5 million, including $1.17 million projected to be allocated before adoption of the final budget; the fund balance was still being calculated. Total ongoing expenses were estimated to increase by $997,710, with $554,136 in the general fund dedicated to USDA loans for the fire station and ladder. Budget increases by department totaled $1.72 million; this included $562,416 for the Fire Department, $386,373 for the Police Department, $346,537 for Public Works, and $344,544 for Economic and Community Development.

The council will vote on a tentative 2022-23 budget at their June 28 meeting.