Cary Park District hosts virtual open house for Outdoor Aquatic Facility
In September 2019, the Cary Park District Board of Commissioners took action to move forward with the planning, development, and construction of an outdoor aquatic facility at Cary-Grove Park to replace the Community Center pool that is over 40 years old.
A replacement for the current pool was a top desire expressed by the community and the board as a result of the 2016 Comprehensive Master Plan Update development.
Planning for the project has been ongoing since that time and preceded events related to COVID-19. Public input is a part of the planning process and that is the purpose of this virtual open house.
The new outdoor aquatic facility is a community infrastructure project that will have a long-life span, likely to equal the 40 years of the current pool. Benefits to the community will include improved quality of life to be gained from the availability of high quality recreation facilities, further connectivity and expansion of the multiuse trail system, positive impacts on home and resale values, as well as, job creation particularly in the age segments of high school and college age students. Additional benefits to those who use the outdoor aquatic facility will include program options and amenities that will appeal to all age groups from toddlers to seniors, improved health and fitness, increased capacity and space to enjoy the facility, and thoughtful improvements to shade and seating options. Participation in the virtual open house will illustrate these items through the use of examples and pictures of the various features.
Even with challenging events related to COVID-19, there may be opportunities to implement the project within this environment that would benefit the community. Understanding this, the Board continues to move ahead with its planning aimed at meeting previous discussed time frames. These opportunities are likely to include an advantageous bidding environment resulting in lower construction costs and favorable interest rates.
The park district will use existing financial resources and capabilities to implement this project and operate it effectively. There will be no increase to property taxes to construct or operate this facility. The components that make up the aquatic facility (leisure and lap pools, slides, water amenities, seating, bathhouse, concession, and support buildings) are estimated at $7-8 million and the site improvement costs (provision of water/sewer, utilities, mass earthwork, parking lots, trails and stormwater detention) at $3-4 million for a total project cost of $11-12 million.
The bidding for the new outdoor aquatic facility is anticipated for early 2021, the ground breaking and construction shortly thereafter with the expectation open date of the new facility of summer 2022.
Past practice of the park district has been to hold an open house or series of open houses to present a project to the community to gain feedback and comment. These have been done in-person at the Community Center with staff and consultants present. Due to current events related to COVID-19, specifically limitations on group sizes, they have adjusted the public input process.
The park district will be offering a Virtual Open House process. There are three steps to complete, and it will take approximately 20 minutes. Once you have finished looking at the presentation, offer your feedback by completing and submitting the feedback form.
First, review the project's background information and more at www.carypark.com/rccms/outdoor-aquatic-facility-virtual-open-house/.
Second, check out the presentation which illustrates the various proposed amenities. Review the design, layout, and features of the aquatic facility. The slides are numbered, it may be helpful to take notes when reviewing.
And lastly, provide feedback via the online form.
Visit www.carypark.com.