Palm Bay Aquatic Center - Request for Solutions

The City of Palm Bay is seeking operational models and partnerships for the Palm Bay Aquatic Center through a Request for Solutions due October 7, 2026, to maintain aquatic recreation while minimizing financial impact to the municipality. Prospective vendors must register with the City's Bonfire platform at https://palmbayflorida.bonfirehub.com/portal to receive bid notifications and submit inquiries through Bonfire's messaging system.

The facility is a 323,775-gallon public swimming pool located at 420 Community College Parkway, Palm Bay, Florida 32907, with a water slide and ancillary aquatic recreation infrastructure. Four-year usage data (FY2023–FY2026) shows total attendance of 61,488 visitors, with FY2026 recording 19,751 attendees; peak usage occurs weekends at midday (12 PM–2 PM). The facility operates swim lesson programs (436 enrolled participants, 2,616 visits), a Barracudas Swim Team (27 members, 648 sessions), specialized clinics, special events, and toddler programs. External rental users include Spirit Kids, Brevard Heat, Rockets Swim Club, Brevard Swim Club, and Special Olympics. Four-year revenue averages $86,267 annually (range $64,255–$105,075), with facility visits generating $53,641 annually on average. Current annual operating expense is $674,401, comprising utilities ($98,639), maintenance and repairs ($52,348), and personnel ($523,414 supporting 3.95 FTE).

Any operator must comply with Florida Department of Health regulations (Chapter 64E-9, Florida Administrative Code) requiring certified lifeguards, daily water chemistry documentation, 16-hour training for service technicians, and annual renewal permits ($250 for pools exceeding 25,000 gallons). The City holds an existing interlocal agreement with Brevard County Schools for operational support; a 2016 amendment transferred operational responsibility to Palm Bay, with Brevard County providing agreed funding for five years commencing January 26, 2016, and capital improvements to be shared by the College, City, and School Board. The facility faces outstanding capital needs including pump-room repairs and redundant backup components ($181,202), interior repaint and repairs ($6,300), and a chemical storage shed ($11,475). A 2019 geotechnical investigation by Terracon Consultants identified subsurface sand and silt conditions with no direct evidence of sinkhole risk but noted potential pool water loss attributable to leaks in the pool structure itself.

The formal Request for Proposals will be issued as the procurement progresses.