PORT ANGELES — Work is expected to begin within the next two weeks to replace the aging roof of the Vern Burton Community Center now that City Council members have approved a contract for it.
Port Angeles City Council members Tuesday night voted 6-0 to approve a $216,041 contract with Lacey-based Madsen Roofing to replace the domed roof of the gym at the Vern Burton Community Center at 308 E. Fourth St.
Councilwoman Sissi Bruch was absent and excused.
The 25-year-old roof has leaked for years, said Corey Delikat, parks and recreation director.
Buckets have had to be placed on the gym floor to collect rain water during some events.
The replacement work is expected to wrap up by the beginning of September, Delikat said.
The work will not affect Vern Burton Center programs or events, he added.
“There’s not going to be any disturbances, or cancellations,” Delikat said.
Half the money to pay for the replacement will come from lodging tax revenue, paid by the hotels and motels doing businesses within city limits, and the other half from the city general fund, Delikat said.
The city had originally budgeted $300,000 for the work.
“It’s marvelous we’ll only spend $216,000 out of the $300,000,” City Councilwoman Cherie Kidd said.
The unused money will return to the city’s lodging tax and general funds, city Chief Financial Officer Byron Olson said, and must be reappropriated by council members if it is to be spent on another project.
The roof replacement project received two bids: the lowest from Madsen Roofing and a $237,026 bid from Snyder Roofing of Snohomish.
The low bid was 26.8 percent lower than the city engineer’s estimate of $295,000.
Mayor Dan Di Guilio asked why local contractors did not offer bids.
Delikat said the roof will be replaced with special material known as thermoplastic, similar to the roof covering the nearby William Shore Memorial Pool, which is at 225 E. Fifth St.
No contractors in Clallam County are equipped to install such a roof, he said.
Delikat said he’s glad to see a long-sought-after project finally becoming a reality.
“I’m just excited that we’re focusing on existing infrastructure,” Delikat said.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
