Brighton council approves $11.6M contract to expand rec center

BRIGHTON — Brighton’s recreation center expansion marched one step closer to reality Tuesday, Dec. 17, when the City Council officially approved of a contractor to do the $11.6 million job.

The council awarded the contract to FCI Constructors, Inc., out of the 13 firms that submitted bids on the project.

“We determined FCI was the most responsive and responsible firm, they met all of the criteria and had the greatest historical satisfaction with the city,” Watts told the council Tuesday. The council voted unanimously to approve the contract. 

The need for more space has been apparent for years, especially lately as the city and the school district have had difficulties managing space for youth sports, according ot Carleen Watts, assistant director of Recreation Services.

Brighton’s recreation center opened in 1992 and was expanded in 2005 to add a childcare center. The original construction cost was $4.8 million (with multiple change orders), but accounting for inflation, today’s price wasn’t so shocking, council members said.

“We were asked to address growing demand for gym space, and with lots of coordination with the school district, we were short on space,” Watts said.

The expansion will include a 5,600 square-foot addition that will include an auxiliary gym, restrooms, office space, storage, and expansion of the existing elevated walking track.  The renovation also will allow them to modernize classroom space for spin-cycling, and add and indoor/outdoor workout area, Watts said.

While construction on the expansion is ongoing, the city also has a commensurate project to upgrade their existing center, with new paint, and they hope to redo the carpets in the next two years, Watts said. The project also will include an upgraded building fire system throughout the center.

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