Cravens Pool could open later this year. According to the City of Owensboro’s project list, the indoor sports facility is ahead of schedule and under budget.
Construction and weather delays have played a large role in further delaying the opening of Cravens Pool. Officials had hoped the opening could take place over Memorial Day weekend; now they’re hoping for Labor Day.
“We continue to make good progress, albeit delayed, on Cravens Pool. We will open the facility and operate it for a weekend or two this season. We are committed to doing that,” City Manager Nate Pagan said this week.
Pagan said there is no definitive opening date yet, but said it will be announced in the next few days.
While there have been delays at Cravens Pool, the city’s indoor sports facility is doing better.
The planning phase for the project – with a budget of $18 million – was completed in February. The tender process was successful, with the lowest bid being below the estimated cost.
“The apparent lowest bid is from Envision Contracting at $16,500,000. The design team has completed the evaluation of bids and should have the contract signed by the end of the week,” the project listing states.
Pagan said the groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 28 and the contractor will be on site by the end of August.
The updated plan begins construction earlier than planned and pushes back the expected completion date from September 2026 to June of the same year.