The legislative journey of a Spa City indoor recreation center came to an end at a Tuesday, Feb. 17, meeting of the Saratoga Springs City Council, with a split vote to award a $4,997,000 contract to Halfmoon-based Bast-Hatfield.
The lowest of 10 bidders, Bast-Hatfield’s proposal included several add-on elements, including air conditioning for the gymnasium, a racquetball court, additional trees outside and an emergency generator that could make the 33,000-square-foot usable as an emergency shelter. They promise to complete the project for less than the $6.5 million bonded amount.
The good news is that the city is well within budget, said Mayor Scott Johnson. `We expect there to be a surplus left when the project is delivered in turnkey condition.`
Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim and Public Works Commissioner Anthony `Skip` Scirocco voted against awarding the contract. They raised concerns that led to a lengthy argument amongst the council members that included ongoing litigation against the project, the completeness of the planning process and the wisdom of building the facility during a recession.
`In today’s economy it’s the wrong thing to doit doesn’t make any sense at this particular point in time,` said Scirocco.
Kim said that the rec center bonds should be reappropriated to the construction of a new police station or fire house. He acknowledged that would incur penalties, but that it would be worth it.
`What this City Council has hoisted on this city is the idea this money is trapped and cannot be moved,` he said. `I’ve talked to state officials and private bond counsel, and they’ve all told me that is not true.`
But others said it is time to go ahead with the project, tough times or no, and give the taxpayers what they have essentially already paid for.
`If we just say no, we get nothing for that money. Instead, we can go forward and give something to our families, our kids and ourselves,` said Finance Department Commissioner Kenneth Ivins, who added he was `disappointed that previous councils did bond this thing.`
The rec center has been under consideration for about a decade. The plans call for a large, four-basketball court gymnasium with a walking track and a multi-purpose room, to be built at the Southside Recreation Fields. Outside, a spray park will be maintained and existing playground equipment will be relocated and added to. Some of the playing fields will be retained.
Bast-Hatfield has been responsible for other high-profile projects in the city, including the YMCA building, the train station and upgrades to city schools.
Resident Anne Bullock told the council it would be irresponsible to award a contract considering the lawsuit brought forth by her Friends of the South Side Park group that seeks to halt the project.
`What kind of lawyer, knowing his client is going to be sued, advises his client to enter into that contract?` she asked before the vote.
Johnson said that he was not concerned with the suit.
`This group that filed the suit against the city did not seek an injunction on this project,` he said, which if granted would immediately halt progress. `To get an injunction, you must establish a likelihood of successit gives some indication of the strength, or the weakness, perhaps, of the suit at hand.`
Accounts Department Commissioner John Franck agreed and said the council should follow the advice of the city’s attorneys. `If we stop every project and everything we do because of a lawsuit, nothing will ever get done in this city,` he said.
`This is a disaster for the city to enter,` countered Kim. `My guess is if approve this contract tonight, they’re going to try to stop the shovels.`
Groundbreaking will take place once the weather allows it.
“