During Friday’s Up Close show, questions were raised about how a $22 million state grant ends up with only $15 million for construction of the pool and recreation center. Managing editor Tami Roleff has some answers…
Prop 68 allocated $22 million in grant funds to Yucca Valley to build a new aquatics and recreation center. But the state immediately takes back 10 percent, or about $2 million, for administrative costs. Conceptual design, final design, architectural design and engineering, as well as construction-ready drawings, CEQA environmental analysis, and final bid documents are the town’s responsibility, and the costs are estimated to be 20 to 25 percent of the total grant, or $4 million to $5 million. This leaves a budget of $15 million to $16 million to be spent on the actual construction of the aquatics center. If the town finds partners or other grants, those funds could be added back into the project.
