The bids opened in October for construction of the new pool in Traer came in at $3.6 million, $600,000 over budget. These bids were rejected by the City Council. Since then, the Pool Committee has met and looked for ways to make the pool more economical to build and still keep the features promised. The committee feels good about the changes made and Burbach Aquatics Architect and Engineering, the firm in charge of the design of the Traer Pool, believes that there could be more favorable bids with a notice to bid starting on December 15, 2016 and bid opening on February 2, 2017. The City Council would approve the bids, if they are in budget, during their February meeting and construction would start in March, 2017 with completion of the pool by May 15th, 2018.

The down side of this plan would be going without a pool during the 2017 swim season. This is following the history of our current pool, while it was being constructed a swim season was lost to complete the pool. Currently there is a plan to have swimming lessons occur at the Dysart pool. If this plan materializes there will be more details and information coming in the near future.

After the outstanding 85% public approval of the bond issue vote for a new pool, the Traer Pool Committee is determined to make this needed recreational and educational facility a reality for the community of Traer.