Unalaska council hires consultant to study future of city aquatics center

The Unalaska City Council adopted Resolution 2026-56 on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The resolution authorizes the acting city manager to sign an agreement with LCG Lantech Inc. for an aquatics center feasibility study.

The study will weigh three paths. In its January solicitation, the city's Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation sought proposals to evaluate the financial and operational impacts of renovating, reconstructing or relocating the facility. A later addendum said the consultant must evaluate all three options and recommend the one that best meets the city's long-term needs. No construction money is attached to the study itself.

Getting to this point took two tries. The city first advertised the work with proposals due Feb. 23, then reissued the request with an Aug. 10 deadline. The city declined to disclose the study's budget. The addendum states only that sufficient funding has been identified for the scope of work.

The council also adopted Resolution 2026-55 the same night, authorizing an agreement with Western Marine Construction Inc. to demolish and replace the Robert Storrs Harbor A and B floats, along with utilities, a restroom and other associated work. That contract is worth $21,941,662, part of a $25,251,261 total construction budget. The Sept. 8 agenda also listed Resolution 2026-57, which would authorize an agreement with Cornerstone Architectural Group for a citywide roofing repair project.

If the council later chooses to renovate, reconstruct or relocate the aquatics center, it will have to weigh the construction cost against the city's other capital priorities. For now, the study carries no publicly disclosed price. The council has committed only to finding out which of the three options it should pursue.