Council accepts low pool bid; approves gift card program

After considerable discussion, members of the Grant city council accepted the low bid for a new swimming pool during their regular meeting April 28.

Brown Construction of Kearney submitted the low bid out of five bids submitted for the project. 

Their bid came in at $2,582,000, which was 2% above of the probable cost of $2,530,000 estimated by the city’s engineer for the project, Larry Steele with Miller & Associates of Kearney. 

Steele recommended the council accept the bid from Brown Construction. 

Steele explained Brown Construction would be in charge of the bath house and related mechanical systems. They plan to bring in a subcontractor to construct the pool itself, along with the necessary mechanical systems.

The pool firm, Acapulco Pools, is a Canadian-based company. When asked about the reputation of the company, Steele said he left that to Brown and didn’t have a lot of background. 

Matt Greenwood noted the U.S. has closed its borders and questioned that if workers were coming from Canada, could they get in. 

Council members decided to go ahead and accept the bid, contingent on more information about Acapulco Pools. 

City Superintendent Ed Dunn said this week that while the company headquarters is located in Canada, they  have various offices spread out the country. 

Ironically, one of their offices is located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dunn said the firm came well recommended and said they are anxious to work on a project this close to Lincoln.  

The contract with Brown is being finalized and will be voted on at next Tuesday’s council meeting.

Gift Card Program

The council gave approval to a gift card program to support local businesses, using LB840 economic development funds. 

Any business within one mile of the city limits can sign up for the program. 

The program encourages people to purchase gift cards from local businesses. The city will then match back tot he business the amount of the gift card sold, with a limit of $300 per business. 

 The council has committed up to $10,000 for the program.