Mesa council approves construction contracts for new aquatic complexes

By Janet Perez
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

Sun Eagle Corp. is now the construction manager-at-risk for the Eastmark Aquatic Complex in southeast Mesa and the Red Mountain Aquatic Complex in the northeast.

Mesa City Council granted the contracts 5-0 during its Monday meeting. Mayor Mark Freeman and Councilmember Jenn Duff were absent.

The contracts were part of the council’s consent agenda in which all items are voted on through one motion and vote. The council issued no comments on the change.

The two preconstruction services contracts total $272,590. According to a report from the city’s engineering department, each aquatic complex will cost $20 million. Construction will be paid through general obligation bonds approved by voters in 2024.

The Eastmark Aquatic Complex will be at 9603 E. Point Twenty-Two Blvd. and the Red Mountain Aquatic Complex will be constructed at 7550 E. Adobe St.

The complexes are expected to include the following amenities, according to the engineering department report:

• Competition and/or lap pool and diving well
• Recreation pool with water slides
• Pool deck with gutter systems
• Building for pool offices with enclosed bathhouse
• Ramadas and lighting
• Bleachers with shade structures for pool events
• Multiuse turf areas

The Eastmark complex is anticipated to be completed in 2029, with the Red Mountain facility completed by 2030, according to a council staff report.

Sun Eagle was selected by town staff through a statements of qualifications process rather than through the traditional design-bid-build process.

“This is not recommended due to the need for the additional services provided by a (construction manager at risk) contractor during the design phase,” the council staff report continued. “The proposed (complexes) will require extensive on-site investigation, phasing, construction sequencing (and) constructability analysis by the contractor throughout the design phase.”

Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org. Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Janet Perez
News Editor | Queen Creek & San Tan Valley

jperez@iniusa.org

Meet Janet
Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State  University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.

Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.

Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science. 

Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.  

Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.