Aquatic Center project gets contractor for June finish

The Shafter City Council voted unanimously to award the $3 million Shafter Aquatic Center Improvement Project contract to James E. Thompson Inc.

Currently, the estimated cost of the project is $2.8 million, with $2.4 million coming from the Clean California Grant. The remaining $380,000 is coming from the city's General Fund.

The project includes replacing the decking, landscaping, ADA improvements and resurfacing the pool.

With the approval, the city can move forward, with the project's completion expected in June, said Public Works Director Michael James. He expected the construction to begin in January.

A map available at the meeting showed the work that is to be done.

In other action, the council approved a resolution that would take $20 million of Shafter's finances and invest it in California CLASS, which would result in a higher yield on the money than the city has been making. The LAIF, which the city has used in the past, gives the city a 3.5% interest rate. The California CLASS earns 5.5%.

There also was an update on Shafter's Skatepark Equipment Upgrades Project. The city contracted with Spahn Ranch to complete the project, which includes installing new ramps, jumps and concrete surfacing. New lighting and landscaping also part of the $500,000 project, It is expected to be completed in June, too.