Outside of the Foster City Parks and Recreation building.
Construction of Foster City’s recreation center is moving ahead, with groundbreaking starting around Dec. 18.
The center has been closed to the public since the middle of September to prepare for construction and demolition of the building. Prior to the start of construction, temporary modular buildings were set up on the existing tennis courts, according to a recent staff report.
Initial work, however, has already unearthed potential concerns, largely related to utility infrastructure and site maps. The center had undergone multiple renovations over the course of about five decades, meaning site drawings are not fully intact, Parks and Recreation Director Derek Schweigart said.
“This is not without challenges, of course … this is a very uncertain time when we start construction and you start digging. With that there comes a lot of unforeseen conditions,” Schweigart said. “One example of unforeseen condition has to do with buried utilities that are not indicated on building and site plans as-built drawings.”
Plans to rebuild the city’s recreation center, located in Leo J. Ryan Park, have been in the works since 2016, with the process punctuated by budgetary and pandemic-related delays. Though the recent fiscal year showed a $4 million surplus per the most recent estimates — up from the originally projected $6 million shortfall — the city still anticipates a long-term structural deficit, which had given several elected officials pause on whether to move ahead on the project. Some councilmembers had previously floated ideas for a bond measure or other financing mechanisms to fund the project in light of fiscal concerns but ultimately voted to move forward on the project as originally planned.
In September, the city signed a contract with BHM after construction bids came in roughly $10 million lower than the originally anticipated $65 million.
Schweigart added the city is still working on plans for some of its largest events, including its annual Fourth of July celebration. Completion is estimated for summer 2026.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102
Daily Journal staff
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(1) comment
Foster City folks, remember this lack of fiscal management when Foster City puts out future measures to take more of your hard earned money. There is no reason to vote for any taxes or assessments to add to the coffers of Foster City because they’re showing that even with a budget deficit, they’re willing to squander your money, whether rewarding labor unions, on raises or paying ever increasing pensions and benefits. Remember, you get the government you voted for. Make a change else be prepared to “donate” more of your money to Foster City.
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