Western Springs will go over budget to replace the heating and air conditioning system at the recreation center.
Officials said the aging unit is experiencing problems and a new unit will be more efficient, saving money in the long term.
The Village Board approved a $232,000 contract Monday with Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc., of Alsip, to replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the center, 1500 Walker St.
The vote was part of the omnibus agenda at the meeting, and was one of the final items voted on before the new board members were seated later in the evening.
Trustee Alice Gallagher said five bids came in for the project, with the lowest bid coming in at $232,000, and the highest at $304,484. She said $225,000 was budgeted for the project, and that all bids were over budget.
The Properties and Recreation Committee recommended going forward with the large project, which will completely revamp the entire HVAC system, said Gallagher, who was sworn in as village president later in the evening.
Village reserve funds will be used to offset the $7,000 over-budget cost, officials said.
Recreation Director Tracy Alden said the existing system in that building is more than 20 years old, is a the end of its life cycle, and is beginning to have some problems as a result of its age. He said last fall one of the issues was mold found in one of the day care rooms at, and that the new system will help alleviate the problem.
Alden said replacing it will make it run more efficiently, saving the village more money down the road.
The plan is to do the work in September, once the summer heat has subsided, officials said.
David Heitz is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press
