Cape city hopes to hire consultant by late September to help plan for construction of aquatic center

The City of Cape Girardeau hopes to have a consultant under contract by late September to help plan for an indoor aquatic center, parks and recreation director Julia Jones said Thursday.

Jones said the city is seeking qualifications from interested firms.

Consulting firms have until Aug. 23 to submit qualifications, which, Jones said, then will be reviewed by the Aquatics Facility Committee.

The six-member committee, comprised of representatives of city government and the Cape Girardeau School District, held its first meeting last month. Committee members met again Wednesday.

According to the written request for proposals, the selected consultant will research and make recommendations on the "feasibility, sustainability, design elements, possible locations and budget" for an indoor aquatic facility to replace the aging Central Municipal Pool.

Jones said the consultant will offer recommendations regarding both a construction budget and an operating budget for the facility.

Operating costs must be considered in planning for an aquatic center, she said.

The planning effort also will look at how the center would be used, Jones said.

The committee is looking at an indoor facility that will meet the needs of competitive swim teams as well as the community's recreational needs. The latter include aquatic fitness programs, swimming lessons and even birthday parties, Jones said.

"I think we want a full range of aquatic services," she said.

The city will pay for the consultant, whose hiring requires approval from the Cape Girardeau City Council, Jones said.

The planning process is expected to occur in October and November and include public input, she said. A number of focus-group meetings will be held, according to Jones.

Final recommendations could be made by December or January, she said.

A final decision on the project rests with the city council and the school board.

Voters in April extended the city's parks/stormwater sales tax, which will generate money for several projects including $6 million for an indoor aquatic facility.

But city manager and aquatic committee member Scott Meyer has said the city hopes to partner with the school district and possibly other groups to construct "the very best indoor aquatic facility" finances allow.

Jones said last month the project could carry a $12 to $15 million price tag.

Cape Girardeau School District superintendent Neil Glass, who also serves on the committee, has said any funding from the school district depends on voter approval of a bond issue in 2019 or 2020.

Glass has suggested building the facility on ground owned by the school district and the city near Jefferson Elementary School. But city officials have said no site decision has been made.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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