Construction contract approved for Wenatchee Convention Center renovations
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee City Council Thursday awarded a Seattle-based construction company a $13.9 million construction contract for Wenatchee Convention Center renovations.
At Thursday’s meeting, Absher Construction was selected from six bidders to undertake a significant project.
Mayor Mike Poirier, in a press release, highlighted the project’s importance: “This is a crucial investment in our downtown area that will bring lasting benefits to both residents and tourists. This project marks a significant chapter in our community’s history, and I am thrilled about its upcoming realization.”
The scope of the project is expansive, including enhancements and additions to various areas. It entails creating new spaces for pre-function activities, breakout sessions, service and back of house operations, and a kitchen expansion. Additionally, it involves constructing an area for potential future growth, refurbishing the existing Gala and Fuji areas, and upgrading the outdoor public plaza with improved accessibility features.
Initially, the plan aimed to expand the convention center, adding roughly 9,000 square feet to the main floor and 3,100 square feet to the lower floor. As per the city’s conditional use permit application, the project will now add about 25,000 square feet over two floors.
Though the 2023 capital projects budget initially approved the project at $16.1 million, recent updates indicate a need to revise the budget to $17.5 million.
On November 9, the city council sanctioned a $16.4 million bond to fund the renovations of the Wenatchee Convention Center. This bond will be repaid through the city’s lodging tax revenues.
Elisa Schafer, the facilities manager at Wenatchee Public Works, noted that the interest accrued on these bonds would generate roughly half a million dollars, which will contribute to the project’s budget.
Schafer also mentioned that the convention center’s reserves would provide an additional financial cushion, ensuring that the project’s costs don’t strain the general fund.
Additionally, the city council ratified a contract amendment with ALSC Architects, a Spokane-based firm, to supervise the construction phase. Initially engaged for designing the expansion and renovation, ALSC Architects will now regularly visit the site to ensure the construction aligns with the planned designs. This amendment increases their contract by approximately $462,000, totaling around $1.8 million.
Construction is slated to commence in late spring, with completion targeted for late summer 2025.
