Peachtree City Council approves Kedron Pool design concept and $417,500 design fee

Peachtree City Council voted to approve the concept design for a rebuilt Kedron Pool and a related budget amendment, increasing design fees from $247,500 to $417,500 to cover additional architectural and engineering work. Staff and the project architect stressed the decision moves the project into the design phase so detailed plans can be produced.

Harold Layton, the city’s presenter on the item, asked the council to move forward with design and the fee increase, telling the council he was "asking for approval of this concept and to move forward with the design" and noting the higher fee reflects added architectural, civil and pool-specialty design work. Brandon Fairbanks, the project architect, said the selected schematic allows flexibility for pool depth, instructional uses and add-alternate features such as a spray pad.

Several residents and swim-community representatives asked council to limit disruption to swimmers. Jennifer Hinton, a parent, requested the city "consider pushing the construction start date from October to March" and suggested the city explore heating and using Glen Loch Pool while Kedron is under construction to reduce travel for families.

Council members pressed staff and the architect on accessibility and the instructional-pool design. Councilwoman Laura Johnson said the approved concept enters the design phase and asked staff to keep the community informed and incorporate feasible stakeholder feedback; staff said they expect to solicit additional input at roughly the 30% design milestone. One council member reiterated a long-standing preference for a 50-meter pool but acknowledged funding and site constraints make that unlikely in this project.

The council voted in favor of the concept and the budget amendment to raise design fees to $417,500, allowing staff and WM2A Architects to proceed with design work. Council and staff noted more detailed cost estimates and schedule information will be developed in the design phase and presented back to council for future decisions.