DATE:May 18, 2026
TO:Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA:Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager
FROM:Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director
Justin Lai, Senior Civil Engineer
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation Department
SUBJECT:COMMUNITY CENTER REBUILD PROJECT (CIP 301-678)
GENERAL UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council, by Minute Order, receive and accept the general update report on the Community Center Rebuild Project formally known as the Recreation Center Rebuild Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff will provide a verbal update of the latest Project activities at the City Council meeting. The Project update will consist of this staff report and the attached Construction Manager’s Report. Some of the notable highlights from the past two months of the Project include:
Crews moved from framing and drywalling to installing final fixtures and finishes. Elevator installation began and coordination for permanent power reached its final stages.
The exterior shifted from basic weatherproofing to the installation of architectural panels, complemented by the placement of solar (PV) panels and inverters on the roofs.
External work progressed from utility installation to visible site improvements, including terrace concrete, landscaping, irrigation, playground construction, and the development of the bocce court area
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
During the months of March and April, the project shifted from structural shell completion to intensive interior finishing and complex site development. During March, efforts were primarily focused on closing in the building envelope and advancing interior framing and drywall, particularly within the events wing. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems were integrated as elevator installation began and permanent power coordination moved forward. By April, the focus pivoted toward high-level finishes across both floors, including the installation of polished concrete floors, cabinetry, restroom tiling, and kitchen equipment. The exterior evolved significantly during this period, moving from basic waterproofing and insulation work to the installation of high- end exterior panels, alongside the deployment of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems on the roofs. Simultaneously, the surrounding grounds were transformed through extensive site concrete work, irrigation installation, and the assembly of community amenities such as the playground and bocce courts.
During the construction, submittal, and request for information (RFI) process, it was found that multiple aspects of the design required additional scope or modifications which resulted in Contract Change Order #13 (CCO13) and Contract Change Order #14 (CCO14)
CCO13 consisted of the following items:
1. During construction an existing tripping hazard was identified, and additional work was required to replace an existing storm drain inlet to match the sidewalk grade. The additional cost for materials and labor was $6,870.
2. Additional equipment and material were required to address a broken storm drain, which created unstable soil conditions. The additional cost for materials and labor was $25,597.
3. Minor plumbing and electrical adjustments to accommodate revised kitchen equipment layout were required. The additional cost for materials and labor was $3,221.
4. Additional structural framing was required at the operable partitions due to the height extending from the original designs. The additional cost for materials and labor was $6,450.
5. Two interior doors required revisions due to the heights not working with the storefront framing. The additional cost for materials and labor was $1,227.
6. Additional reinforcing steel was required at the structural bases due to relocations of openings. The additional cost for materials and labor was $2,618.
7. Additional flashing work was required to properly seal the penetrations at the low roof. The additional cost for materials and labor was $5,859.
8. During construction additional depth was required for the helical piles due to the existing soils not meeting requirements for structural capacity. The additional cost for materials and labor was $11,073.
9. Electrical controls were relocated due to field conflicts during construction. The additional cost for materials and labor was $2,380.
The total cost of CCO13 was $65,295.
CCO14 consisted of the following items:
1. Work to address the deflection gap at the roof decking required additional material and work. The additional cost for materials and labor was $20,747.
2. The existing bocce courts required additional subgrade preparation to meet warranty specifications for the new turf. The additional cost for materials and labor was $20,848.
3. Concrete curbs were modified around the building for a cohesive design. The additional cost for materials and labor was $6,092.
4. Installation of additional deck support plates were required. The additional cost for materials and labor was $21,675.
5. Temporary timers were installed for the amphitheater lights so they would remain fully operational but not remain on during the daytime hours. The additional cost for materials and labor was $1,955.
6. Additional work was required to modify the storefront drywall adapters for an improved final product. The additional cost for materials and labor was $16,288.
7. Due to modifications to the diffusers in the event hall, additional work was required to install them flush with the ceiling. The additional cost for materials and labor was $5,564.
8. To accommodate proper lighting voltages, additional modifications were required to select light fixtures. The additional cost for materials and labor was $8,243.
9. The glass entry canopy required additional downspouts for proper drainage. The additional cost for materials and labor was $24,030.
10.Brake metal was added at the head of the curtain walls. The additional cost for materials and labor was $8,415.
11.Soffits were added on the 1 st and 2nd floors to improve the visual design. The additional cost for materials and labor was $4,006.
12.The polished concrete floors on the 1 st floor required a significant increase to the original scope of work to achieve the desired finish. The concrete slab density was higher than anticipated. The additional cost for materials and labor was $59,976.
13.Wall painting was added to the scope to allow for a more cohesive appearance at the wood grille ceiling areas in the event spaces and activity room. The additional cost for materials and labor was $11,496.
14.To be consistent with the event space and activity rooms, it was determined additional paint in the main lobby would provide a cohesive result behind the grille ceiling. The additional cost for materials and labor was $6,150.
The total cost of CCO14 resulted was $215,485.
The remaining contingency balance following the execution of CCO13 and CCO14 is $3,373,723, which is 75.6% of the approved contingency and the revised contract amount is $45,714,877.
Upcoming Construction Activity
Project work is moving into its final stages, with crews focusing on finishing touches both inside and outside the building. Within the building, BHM will install ceilings, flooring, and doors, alongside essential lighting, plumbing, and fixtures. They will connect the kitchen equipment, complete the elevator installation, and complete finishing details like signs and restroom accessories. Outside the building, the team is wrapping up exterior wall panels and painting, completing the roof and solar panels, and handling landscaping tasks like planting and setting up irrigation. Outdoor recreation and gathering areas, including the playground, patios, concrete walkways, and shaded bocce courts, are also taking shape. A major priority for May is getting the building's permanent electricity and networks up and running, which involves close coordination with the City's IT department and PG&E. Establishing this network connectivity is crucial so that the building's smart systems, fire alarms, and sprinklers can be thoroughly tested and pass final safety inspections. Finally, in June, the crew plans to resurface and repaint the existing parking lot, which will require careful timing to minimize disruptions to upcoming summer events and programs.
Project Schedule Summary
Site Work, Underground Utilities and Grading January 2025 – October 2025 Foundation and Structural Framing January 2025 - August 2025 Building Exterior Framing and Envelope September 2025 - December 2025
Interior Framing & Mechanical, Electrical, and
Plumbing
September 2025 – April 2026
Interior Finishes and Closeout April 2026 – July 2026
Project Completion July 2026
Currently, there are some minor delays in the schedule, but the contractor anticipates project completion in July. The City will monitor this closely and have follow-up meetings with BHM to discuss mitigation methods and possible challenges. Continued delays could occur if interior finishes, MEP trim, inspections, startup, commissioning, and turnover activities do not advance in a coordinated sequence. Receiving permanent power from PG&E has affected downstream tasks such as system testing for commissioning and IT setup, which is necessary for life-safety inspections. Any delays within the sequence have the potential to push out the final inspections and occupancy certification, which would lead to a later completion date.
Foster City Community Center Operations Update
Apart from construction activities, City staff have been evaluating responses to requests for information (RFI) for the three onsite vendors - Café, Early Education and Ceramics.
The shortlisted vendors will be invited for follow-up interviews, and the award of the agreement will be scheduled for Council approval tentatively in the June or July timeframe. Staff will provide a brief update to the City Council during the meeting.
California Environmental Quality Act
In July 2023, the City of Foster City, in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), the State CEQA Guidelines adopted by the Secretary of Resources, and the City of Foster City Environmental Review Guidelines, prepared an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH # 20231009) with Standards Conditions and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (SCAMMRP), and CEQA Findings (IS/MND) for the Recreation Center Rebuild Project.
On November 16, 2023, the City Planning Commission adopted the IS/MND and approved the Use Permit for the Project. Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines section 15164(b), the City prepared an Addendum to the adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration for the temporary Modular Buildings portion of the work.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this update. Any fiscal impacts to the Project will be presented to the City Council as a separate agenda item with a recommended action. The construction budget can be seen on the attached Construction Manger’s Report.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Facilities and Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Monthly Construction Manager's Report March 2026 Attachment 2 - Monthly Construction Manager's Report April 2026 Attachment 3 - Contract Change Order Summary Sheet