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The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved advertising bids for the remodeling of City Arena and the Aquatic Center, funding for both projects which were part of the recreational facilities referendum passed in the spring.

At City Arena, the project includes building a 1,099-square-foot building addition for the lobby, as well as renovating the Recreation Department office and a referee locker room.

At the city pool, the project includes constructing a 180-square-foot free-standing ticket booth, along with changes to the main building and other elements to improve public access. When people enter they would go in a new entrance and then choose whether to go to a family bathhouse or men’s or women’s bathroom and changing area. The current entrance would be blocked for entry.

Apex, the company the city has been working with for the improvements, estimates the arena remodeling to cost $1.36 million, which is $100,000 above budget, while the Aquatic Center remodel is estimated at $387,000, or $100,000 under budget.

Both projects combined are estimated at $1.747 million, of which the Albert Lea Hockey Association has pledged to raise $250,000 to go toward the arena lobby expansion.

The plans were reviewed and recommended by the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

City Manager Ian Rigg said overall all of the facilities projects are a total of $180,000 over the projected estimates, with the higher cost coming from the refrigeration system at the arena.

The projects were part of a referendum approved by 75.5% of voters in April that would allow the city to borrow up to $9.8 million to improve the City Arena, Marion Ross theater, Aquatic Center and Splash Pad.

Rigg said the price for the refrigeration system has been locked in, and Apex has also agreed to reduce some of its fees.