City to spend $40,000 for Civic Center locker room updates

by Laura Bednar

Nov. 12 city council meeting

Independence City Council agreed to pay $40,125 to Sixmo Architecture to provide specifications, engineering plans and architectural drawings for the renovation of Civic Center locker rooms.

Recreation Director Tom Walchanowicz said the locker rooms have not been updated since 1991, aside from shower improvements. Once the plan is finalized, Sixmo will assist the city in the bidding process and ensure the chosen contractor meets expectations.

Walchanowicz said the recreation department will work with Sixmo through December, bid out the project in January and select a contractor in February or March. The work would be done between July and September 2025.

The project will include reconfiguring the locker area, floor drainage, new lockers, new equipment and furnishings, new plumbing fixtures, finishes and new lighting.

In other action, council approved several pieces of housekeeping legislation. 

Council amended an ordinance regarding post-construction stormwater control measures to stay current with Ohio EPA requirements and general stormwater discharge permit cycles, which run in five-year periods. Council also amended city benefits for full-time municipal employees to provide 40 hours of maternity/paternity leave for families who adopt or take in foster children in addition to those with biological children. Law Director Greg O’Brien said this is consistent with current law.