Borough Council Members Discuss Pool Bids

Princeton Borough Council on Tuesday heard an update about the Community Park Pool construction bids, but council members debated which was the most economical.

The parks and recreation board recommends the lowest bid received, for a concrete pool, Borough Administrator Bob Bruschi told council members. He did not say which company submitted the bid.

The bid for a steel-reinforced Myrtha pool, like ones used in the Olympics, was a close second, Bruschi said.  

Council Member Jo S. Butler asked why the Myrtha bid wasn’t chosen since its maintenance cost is less expensive in the long run than a concrete pool. Butler said the concrete pool would cost Princeton approximately $6,711,000 to build the pool, including $900,000 in maintenance costs over 50 years. 

In contrast, the Myrtha pool would cost $6,460,000 to build including $90,000 for lifetime maintenance, she said. 

Council member David Goldfarb agreed with Butler.

“The issue before us is whether to choose the concrete or the Myrtha and at least from my perspective the Myrtha has the proposed advantage of being less expensive over time,” he said. “The reduced costs over time in maintaining it would more than pay the difference in the big prices.”

Council member Kevin Wilkes said a Myrtha pool may cost less in the long run, but the materials may not be available within Princeton’s construction timeframe.

Officials want the pool construction to be completed by spring, 2012. Construction is scheduled to begin immediately after Labor Day.
“They are going to purchase the stainless steel parts from a foreign
country and ultimately will never be able to guarantee delivery," Wilkes said. “Concrete we manufacture right here in Hillsborough. We can make certain we get the material right here on site in time to get it done. We felt a little cheaper and much better schedule control tipped it (the recommendation) to concrete.”

Borough and township officials are expected to vote on the pool bid at a joint meeting on July 25.