OGDEN — A rebuild of a major public space in Ogden now seems on track to begin soon.

During a work session Tuesday, the Ogden City Council was briefed on where the city is on plans for moving forward with construction on the replacement of the Marshall White Center. The meeting covered plans, bids, cost, bonding and a rough construction start date.

Brent Tippets, principal of VCBO Architecture, said getting here has been a lengthy process.

“We’ve met with the public, we’ve met with staff, we’ve met with the committee on multiple occasions and we’ve been working through the design. We got through the design and now we are actually bidding the project out.”

He added that that they are very happy with the final design.

“We’re proud of it,” he said. “We think that it represents the community. It’s a reflection of the past but also a look into the future.”

Tippett briefly detailed the proposed 68,000-square-foot facility, which will have community space for everything from cooking seminars to fitness classes, an exercise area, a gym, a pool, a field house and a running track. The only part of the existing facility that will be retained is an outdoor basketball court on the premises.

He also noted that the new facility will double the size of the current community center.

City Engineer Justin Anderson spoke on the matter of bids, stating that the city had received five submissions in response to a request for qualifications, though only four met the standards of the city’s RFQ. Those four all submitted bids, with BH Inc. being the low bidder at $28,375,000. With engineering, IT, landscaping and other associated costs, the total for the project comes to $34,325,000.

Ogden Comptroller Lisa Stout also discussed funding for the project.

“The council has been assembling funding for the last few years,” she said.

Through various means, including bonding, federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and saving up, the city has amassed $29,325,000.

“We’re still hoping for some donations,” Stout said. “We don’t know what that is yet. … If those donations don’t happen, increasing the bond is something we’ll have to look at.”

Anticipated bonding dates were presented as:

• May 2 — City Council adopts resolution and sets a public hearing.
• May 23 — Public hearing on bonds.
• June 21 — Bond closing.

City recreation manager Edd Bridge also presented Tuesday to discuss the proposed schedule if the bond is ultimately accepted.

“We anticipate the center to close June 1 and then start construction the first week of July,” he said. “We have some asbestos abatement we have to take care of, then also get stuff out of there and get new programs where they’re going to be.”

He also made note of where programs are anticipated to go for the duration of construction. These sites include:

• Ben Lomond High School: boxing, dance, cheer, tumbling.
• Main Library: music, arts and crafts, LEGO, chess, ballet.
• Golden Hours Senior Center: adult pottery, youth pottery, family pottery, pottery studio, Hawaiian dance.
• Highland Junior High: Mighty Mite basketball.
• School district gym TBA: Mighty Mite soccer.
• Liberty Park: speed and agility.
• Kitchen Kneads: cooking classes.

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