Aquatic Center Cost Change and SPLOST V Updates Approved

Photo shows the aquatic center under construction in November 2024, work visible includes parking lot construction and the beginnings of a steel structure rising from the ground (Henry County photo).
Construction continues on the new aquatic center in McDonough, seen here in this November 2024 photo. The venue has a summer 2026 completion date. (Henry County photo)

Henry County approved various budget amendments to the SPLOST V program in January. Among those amendments was an aquatic center cost change. SPLOST V collections will end in March 2025.

The board of commissioners approved the budget amendments during their January 7, 2025 meeting.

SPLOST V Budget Amendments

First, the board approved various SPLOST V budget amendments. Staff described this amendment as “clean-up” to reallocate remaining funds from completed projects to ongoing projects. The amendments consist of the following:

Project updates for each project can be viewed on the county’s ClearGov website.

Aquatic Center Contingency

In addition, the board approved an update to the aquatic center’s construction contingency. They increased the contingency from $1,000,000 to $3,012,473.93. This equals 6% of the construction contract. This increase is to cover unforeseen costs such as rock or unsuitable soil. According to the county, the industry standard for construction contingency is between 5-10%.

The budget increase raises the construction budget to $52.2 million. The total project budget, including design and other expenses, is now $55 million. The project is the largest in SPLOST V.

Photo shows the aquatic center under construction in November 2024, work visible includes parking lot construction and the beginnings of a steel structure rising from the ground (Henry County photo).
Construction progress, November 2024.
(Henry County photo)

Construction continues on the new venue. As of November, asphalt was poured for the parking lots and the steel structure was starting to rise. When complete in summer 2026, the venue will include an indoor competition pool and outdoor water park.

Integrated Construction and Nobility, Inc. of Carrolton, GA, is the general contractor. The project’s pool builder is Aqua Design Systems, Inc. of Fayetteville, GA. The center is located at 1177 Henry Parkway Connector in McDonough.

Featured image shows aquatic center construction progress as of November 2024. Henry County photo.

About Clayton 1746 Articles
Clayton Carte is the founder and owner of The Henry Reporter. He founded the site in 2017 to highlight transportation projects. Over time, he began covering other topics like new development so residents can best know what’s happening in our community.