AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The council approved park and recreation’s request for $35,000 to buy two boilers at the meeting on Monday.
The decision comes after last week’s discussion to replace the broken boiler for $18,000.
The council discussed the necessity of replacing the current boiler system with a more efficient and reliable solution.
“The estimated cost to replace the boiler for $18,000 was for an identical unit,” Parks and Recreation Director J.C. Kennedy explained. “We’re looking to replace the system with something more effective. After following up with Apollo, they recommended the best option, priced at $90,000.”
“As a second option,” Kennedy continued, “We considered a two-boiler system to create redundancy and increase capacity. The cost for that system is $32,670.”
Kennedy contacted several council members about this second option, noting that $35,000 would provide a buffer. “We do have the funds, and this won’t come from the general fund,” Kennedy added.
To avoid a surge of complaints, the council approved the purchase of the new boiler. A motion to approve the expenditure was passed unanimously.
During the previous meeting, the urgency of replacing the failed boiler at the recreation pool was discussed.
Recreation Department staff reported being unable to reset the old boiler, prompting the engagement of mechanical engineers who confirmed that the boiler was beyond repair and needed replacement. “We managed to locate a replacement on the East Coast for $18,000, not including shipping and handling or tax,” said Anderson from the Recreation Department.
Kennedy highlighted the impact of the broken boiler on pool operations. “We’ve increased the temperature in the lap pool as those swimmers prefer colder water, but it’ll take 3 or 4 days to ship the new boiler, and it will be here in a week to ten days,” he said. “The sooner we order it, the sooner it will be fixed.”
Councilmember Dave Malet inquired about the lifespan of the current boiler. Anderson responded, “It’s been running 24/7, 365 days a year since 2019.”
To avoid a surge of complaints, the council approved the purchase of the new boiler.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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