The Salinas City Council unanimously approved 6-0 a contract to enhance accessibility at the Firehouse Recreation Center on Tuesday, Oct. 13, to improve the facility after the site underwent extensive water damage in 2025.
The $947,100 project will be carried out by Pro-Ex Construction Inc., who submitted the winning bid of $861,000, with a 10 percent contingency to address any unexpected costs.
The decision comes on the heels of a water-related incident in March of 2025, when a contractor accidentally broke a fire sprinkler line while working on a nearby traffic signal antenna. This accident resulted in flooding that severely impacted multiple areas of the center, including the women’s restroom, meeting rooms, kitchen, dining areas, corridors, storage rooms, lobby, and reception area.
The damage prompted the closure of the Firehouse Recreation Center and the temporary relocation of key programs, such as the Senior Program, to the Breadbox Recreation Center to ensure continued service to the community.
Following months of insurance negotiations and repair planning, initial repair bids were solicited in mid-2025. However, the city shifted course to combine water damage repairs with a broader project focused on enhancing the overall accessibility of the facility.
Abatement and demolition addressing hazardous materials have already been underway since mid-2026 and are expected to wrap up soon, according to Lundquist.
“We're basically refurbishing the whole downstairs interior of that facility to provide ADA restrooms and upgraded amenities and fixtures for the seniors,” said Kristan Lundquist, director of Libraries and Community Services. “When they come back, they will have almost a brand-new facility that will look really wonderful and really exciting for them.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027. The project not only aims to restore the building’s functionality, but also aligns with the City’s strategic goals to improve infrastructure and support community services for youth and seniors.