Manatee Commission Approves Contract To Build Lincoln Park Pool

PALMETTO, FL -- The new Lincoln Park Pool took a giant leap forward Tuesday, July 24, when the Manatee County Commission unanimously approved a design-build contract with Jon F. Swift, Inc. to construct the pool over the next year.

Lincoln Pool will be the first community pool built by the county in more than 30 years.

Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker said he hopes the pool can open to the public in 2019. Other pools will be built throughout the county over the next decade to meet the demands of the county’s growing population.

Hunsicker said the pool will be adjacent to the popular Lincoln Splash Park, and one day it will be connected to a series of public trails. As part of the design-build process, Swift will provide plans for "betterments" that commissioners may opt to include if funding is available.

The final cost of the pool will be brought before commissioners in February or March.

Hunsicker said the new pool will meet the county's goal to offer a community pool in which local children can learn to swim and compete at higher levels.

"This is really exciting and I’m really glad to see a great company selected to do the work," said Commissioner Betsy Benac, crediting former Commissioner Larry Bustle for pushing for a pool for years. "We have a budget we need to stick to. The public needs to be aware ... and it's going to be critical to manage expectations to understand what it is."

The county has budgeted $3 million for the pool with preliminary plans for a 25-meter competitive swimming pool, shade and amenities. To defray costs, the city of Palmetto has committed $850,000 toward the cost.

Image via Manatee County

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