Repairs to Kent’s Lake Meridian Park bathhouse are expected to be completed this summer after a arson fire damaged the facility last year.
The Kent City Council approved a bid of $677,942 on Jan. 15 to rebuild the bathhouse that includes restrooms, outdoor showers as well as office and storage for the summer lifeguard program. Kent received three bids. The council awarded the contract to Woodinville-based A to B Builders, which submitted the low bid of $616,311 (prior to the state sales tax). A city engineer estimated the cost at $550,000.
The city must pay a deductible of $100,000 but its property insurance fund will cover the rest of the cost. Fire broke out in the middle of the night last June at the bathhouse. A Puget Sound Fire investigator ruled the fire was intentionally set and considered arson. Nobody has been charged with setting the fire.
“The largest change is going to be on the roof,” Parks Director Julie Parascondola said to the council. “It’s the overall same design but it’s going to be updated to meet current building code and be insulated. This is going to raise the roof about a foot higher as well as adding two skylights and a breezeway to add more light and surveillance in that area.”
Construction is expected to take about four months.
“We are really hoping to open it by mid-June,” Parascondola said.
The fire destroyed recent improvements of about $407,000 the city spent to improve the facility. The restroom needed updating to improve function and aesthetics and to comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, according to city documents. Crews installed new doors and restroom fixtures, added new bathroom stalls, new outdoor showers and converted the old concession stand to a new family restroom.
The city used state grant money to pay for that project, funds left over from the installation last year of a new swimming and fishing dock.
Lake Meridian Park, 14800 SE 272nd St., is a popular location for fishing, boating and swimming. The park hosts many public events, including the Fourth of July Splash and summertime concerts.
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