Council hears urgent maintenance needs at former YMCA: pumps, boilers, HVAC

Council heard a focused briefing on mechanical and utility issues at the former YMCA/Poplar Hill facility. Speaker 7 described recent temporary fixes — a new PFD and a replaced bladder — and recommended reconstructing the pump station and returning to two pumps with variable-frequency drives (VFDs) to ensure reliability and allow rotation between pumps. Speaker 7 estimated a replacement pump at "about 6 to 10,000" per unit and recommended procuring two pumps to avoid single-point failures.

Speaker 7 and others detailed boiler and HVAC complications. The facility has separate boiler systems (front area on four boilers, pool area on two), multiple air handlers, and recurring "band-aid" repairs from different contractors that left technicians uncertain of root causes. Speakers said two rented hot-water tanks are currently used and that purchasing industrial tanks would be more economical than ongoing rental (rental indicated around $115 per month in the discussion).

Council members asked staff to obtain firm, itemized estimates for pump replacement, boiler repairs, HVAC diagnostics and replacement, and hot-water tank purchases so the city can assess short-term operating costs and long-term capital needs. Several participants warned that leaving the building unaddressed would increase deterioration and costs over time.