Committee to start planning process for indoor aquatic center in Cape

Planning for an indoor aquatic center will begin soon now that Cape Girardeau city government and the local school district have named a joint committee to guide the process.

City manager Scott Meyer said he expects the planning to take several months.

�We would like to meet every two weeks,� he said Tuesday.

Meyer said the meetings will be open to the public. The committee consists of Meyer, Mayor Bob Fox and business leader Kathy Bertrand representing the city; and Cape Girardeau school superintendent Neil Glass, board president Kyle McDonald and resident and swimming enthusiast Clay Hahs representing the school district.

�We will probably hire a consultant,� Meyer said. �We need data.�

Meyer said the city likely would pay for the consultant out of the funding it has pledged to the project.

Voters in April extended the parks/stormwater sales tax, which will generate money for a number of projects including $6 million for an indoor aquatic facility.

But city officials have expressed hope perhaps a $12 million facility could be built. Such a project would involve a partnership with the school district and maybe others, Meyer said.

Glass said Tuesday a consultant could provide information on what it would cost to construct an indoor aquatic center and �also give an idea of the operating cost.�

Meyer said part of the planning involves deciding the size of the pool and other items such as whether to include a separate diving area and recreational components.

He said the committee also needs to look at the income that might be generated from such a facility to help cover operating costs.

The city manager envisions the planning will be similar to one in recent years regarding an indoor sports complex. That process involved a joint committee of the city and Midameria Hotels Corp., which led to development of the SportsPlex.

Meyer and Glass said they hope the aquatic center committee will finalize a recommendation by the end of the year.

Meyer said any final decision on the project rests with the city council and the school board. Both governmental bodies would have to agree for the project to proceed, he said.

The planning will include recommending a site for the new aquatic center.

Glass proposed earlier this year the center could be built near Jefferson Elementary School. Glass said the aquatic center could be developed in conjunction with the district�s proposal to develop a preschool and turn Jefferson into a STREAM school (science, technology, research, engineering, art and mathematics).

Glass said Tuesday he will continue to push the site as a location for the aquatic center.

But city officials have said other sites could be considered.

Meyer said the planning process won�t always be smooth.

�There will be discussion. There will be disagreement,� he said.

Glass said the school district would have to seek voter approval of a bond issue to fund its share of the project.

The district could issue a maximum of $10 million in bonds without a tax increase, according to Glass.

�It could happen as early as 2019 or 2020,� he said.

Meyer and Glass said they would welcome other partners to the project.

Meyer said the planning likely will include a request for proposals for partnerships to develop the facility, similar to what was done in developing the SportsPlex.

The aquatic center would replace the aging city-school-operated Central Municipal Pool.

The approximately 40-year-old structure faces several challenges, including poor air quality when the inflatable �bubble� covers the facility during winter months, mechanical issues, inadequate deck space, an aging locker room and limited concession and parking space, city officials have said.

The pool operates year-round thanks to the bubble, but the bubble needs to be replaced, which city and school officials have said would cost an estimated $500,000.

Meyer said replacing the Central Municipal Pool with a permanent, indoor aquatic facility is �really the driving force� behind the project.

Ironing out the project will take time, he said. �There are a lot of unknowns.�

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641