Sedalia Council Approves $3.3 Million Aquatics Bid For Community Center

On Monday night, the Sedalia City Council unanimously approved a $3.3 million bid from K. C. Gunite, Inc., for aquatic construction at the new Heckart Community Center.

The bid was recommended to Council by the Sedalia Park Board after it met for a special meeting on Tuesday.

The winning bidder was K.C. Gunite, Inc., of Belton with a bid of $3,323,900. They were the lowest bidder of three, with the other two firms being Westport Pools, Inc., ($3,845,622) and Capri Pools and Aquatics ($3,664,500).

Sedalia Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple said that K. C. Gunite “has done lots of projects in this area and surrounding states. They just recently did one in Arkansas that's very similar to our community center. They were the lowest bidder, and I they're going to give us the best product,” she said on Jan. 28.

The cost was broken down in to three segments – $1,000 for pre-construction services, $267,000 for a whirlpool spa and all accessories, and $3,055,900 for a competition swimming pool and a leisure swimming pool ( and all accessories).

The size of the project doubled since its inception, Epple told the Council Monday night, “and we need to make sure this is done right."

The Heckart Community Center will be located on the former Jennie Jaynes Site in Liberty Park.

The City of Sedalia officially declared its intent to finance the cost of the Heckart Community Center at a maximum amount of $29 million.

On Nov. 18, the Sedalia City Council passed a resolution to finance the cost of acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping the community and recreation center that will be built on Highway 65.

Sedalia voters approved the 78,000-square foot community center in a special election Aug. 6 by an 80 percent margin.

The Sedalia City Council will meet again Tuesday, Feb. 18 due to Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 17.