Wellness center committee looks at cost savings

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Changes to initial plans for the Seward Wellness Center could result in significant cost savings.

City Administrator Greg Butcher gave an update April 18 on the center’s progress thus far.

Butcher said the wellness center committee is still working through the design process with BVH Architects and Sampson Construction and has experienced some “sticker shock” as the price tag has increased in recent months.

The rise in cost is linked to a shortage of materials and supply chain issues, as well as an increase in labor costs across the construction industry.

He said the team is looking to adjust the design without sacrificing amenities to keep it as close as possible to the original $18 million estimate.

“We literally saw it come down $4 million with value engineering by moving everything to the first floor,” Butcher said.

The initial design showed a two-story building, with amenities like basketball courts and a swimming pool on the first floor and weight and cardio equipment, among other areas, on the second floor.

A large cause of that $4 million savings, Butcher said, is because less steel would be needed to construct a single-story building.

The committee was not yet ready to release drawings of the new design for the public to view.

The council authorized a contract with Sampson Construction using a construction manager at-risk method. Once the design is finalized, Sampson will provide the city with a guaranteed maximum price. If the cost comes in over that price, Sampson will be responsible for the difference.

The cost will include all aspects of the project, from design and construction to equipment and furnishings.

Butcher said the city hired Joel Brase as executive director for the wellness center.

Brase previously served as the assistant activities director at Seward High School and currently serves as activities director and assistant principal at Lincoln Lutheran Middle and High School.

Brase is already involved in the design process for the center but will join the city staff full time in June.