A renovation project at the Timbers of Eureka, 1 Coffey Park Lane, began this week.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Kristen Christenson said work started Monday in the locker rooms and saunas.
The locker rooms and saunas are projected to be closed until June 7, according to the city’s Timbers Improvements page on its website, eureka.mo.us.
“We’re trying to get the locker rooms done as quickly as we can,” Christenson said. “That’s a difficult thing to have closed, especially for people who come here before work and then need the showers to get ready for work.”
In late May, the first-floor fitness center will close for approximately six weeks to allow new rubber flooring to be installed along with new exercise equipment, Christenson said.
She said new cardio and strength training equipment will replace used equipment, and a meeting room on the second floor is being converted into a cardio room for classes.
“(Having the fitness center closed) for at least six weeks is going to be tough, but we’re doing the greatest improvements with brand new equipment, more equipment and more room to spread out,” she said.
The Eureka Board of Aldermen voted unanimously April 16 to hire five companies to complete the renovation projects. The total cost of the renovations is $198,758.83 and will be paid for with funds from a grant the city received from St. Louis County and money from Eureka’s capital improvement budget.
The board previously approved an agreement with TXR Architects + Constructors for the Timbers’ improvement projects at the Nov. 21, 2023, regular meeting. TXR will be paid a total of $28,500 for its work.
The projects
According to city documents, Marschel Wrecking of Fenton will complete demolition services for $29,200, including the removal of restroom partitions, locker room and shower area tile, locker room benches and a folding partition wall.
Christenson said work began on Monday to transform one of the second-floor meeting rooms into a cardio room.
A folding partition wall between two rooms will be replaced with a permanent wall. Christenson said the room will have 17 new cycling bikes, fans, a water fountain and new flooring.
She said the current cardio equipment in the first-floor fitness center will still be available to use while the cardio room is being constructed.
According to the city’s website, the cardio room is expected to open on May 30.
Linek Plumbing Co. of Webster Groves will be paid $27,344 for plumbing services in the locker rooms and restrooms, according to city documents.
“Eureka water, you know how it is, it’s time for an upgrade,” Christenson said. “So there will be all-new fixtures, all new plumbing, and they’re adding access panels. They’re also redoing the flooring and the stalls.”
Once the locker rooms are completed, work will begin on the family restroom to update fixtures and flooring, Christenson said.
The website said when the pool opens for the season on May 25, swimmers will have access to restrooms on the pool deck and the family restroom while the locker rooms are closed.
Archway Industrial Coatings Inc. of St. Louis will be paid $44,800 to install epoxy flooring, and XL Flooring LLC of Oakville will be paid $35,519.83 to install rubber flooring, according to city documents.
Christenson said the epoxy flooring, which is a coating over the existing tile, will be installed in the party room, locker room, and lifeguard room, and the rubber flooring will be replaced wherever there is fitness equipment.
The city does not know when the two flooring projects will be completed, according to the website.
“(The rubber flooring) is 10 years old, and it’s been showing its wear,” Christenson said. “The rubber flooring is needed where weights can be dropped. It’s also sound dampening so it won’t be so loud in those areas.”
Tristar Electric of Eureka will be paid $61,895 for electrical services, according to city documents. Christenson said new lights will be installed in various areas around the recreation center.
“There’s a lot going on,” she said.
Membership
Christenson said the city will provide updates about the Timbers’ improvements on its website, through emails and signs posted in the building.
She said updates will also be posted on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page, facebook.com/EurekaParks.
Members who would like to place their membership on hold during the improvements can email Recreation Supervisor Crista Stover at cstover@eureka.mo.us or fill out a hold form at the Timbers front desk, according to the city’s website.
“There are going to be disruptions for certain members,” Christenson said. “We are hoping it will be a pretty smooth process. Once it’s done, I think people will be very pleased with the results.”