PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The planned renovation at Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center for next year got a budget boost in order to include materials and work upgrades. The contract with Centennial Contractors Enterprises Inc. will cover replacement of the HVAC system, the roofing and roofing panels, as well as all mechanical, electrical, roofing and scaffolding work. Calvert County’s Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the budget increase at the Nov. 18 meeting, and the decision will be posted for public comment for 10 days.
The project was presented Oct. 21, with Parks and Recreation Director Bob Branham presenting the department’s plan for the renovation, the budget and the anticipated closures. At that time, the BOCC said the renovation was necessary and hoped Parks and Recreation could minimize the service disruptions for Calvert County residents.
The project, which is funded by the county’s capital improvements plan budget, will cost $8,715,000 in total.
Of that amount, $7,015,821 is currently budgeted and available for the project. Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Lydia Wells requested an adjustment of $2,569,179 to fully fund the project and provide the necessary resources to purchase new polycarbonate roof panels and alternate gable ends.
“This adjustment includes the final project funding. These upgrades are essential to ensure the safety, efficiency and long-term operation of the county’s primary aquatic facility,” Branham wrote in the memo to the board.
Aquatics Division Chief Brandon Madeja added that the department hoped these renovations would be longer lasting than past pool structures, and that aquatic structures are “difficult,” but the technology has been updated to improve longevity of the facilities.
“Everything was done with limited disruption to services that makes it not only much more economically feasible, with the cost to do these repairs, but the longevity is built into it as well, in terms of the expertise we required in this build,” Branham said.
Madeja also said they were on track to complete the project by the October 2026 deadline, as previously submitted at the Oct. 21 meeting.
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