City of Ames says Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center on track for March 2026 opening

Keith, a City of Ames project representative, told the Story County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16, 2025, that construction of the ARPA‑funded Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is progressing and the city expects substantial completion about mid‑January, with an opening targeted for March 2026.

The project matters to Story County because the city said Story County residents will be charged the same admission fees as Ames residents for a 10‑year period under the agreement tied to American Rescue Plan Act funding. "Story County residents will pay the same fee as Ames residents," Keith said.

City staff outlined the construction timeline and site work. The facility will include three pools — a wellness pool (about 90°F), a recreational pool with a current channel (about 86–87°F), and a lap pool (about 83–84°F) — plus a slide that exits and re‑enters the building, a donor wall, a multipurpose room, an admin suite with Wi‑Fi, and accessible locker and changing facilities. The lap pool’s deep end is about 9 feet. The site has underground stormwater storage and permeable pavers planned for parking/landscape areas.

Keith told the board crews encountered groundwater only while excavating the lap pool and that groundwater and multiple soil samples from the site, including the northeast corner where prior contamination had been reported, tested negative. "As of right now, no contamination," he said. The city said it installed a vapor barrier under the entire building and has set aside $1,000,000 for mitigation related to any contamination issues; to date the city reported it has spent $0 of that reserve.

Board members and county officials asked about potential use as a polling place and ongoing testing. Story County Auditor Martin asked whether he could inspect the multipurpose room for early voting or a polling site; Keith invited him to contact city staff to arrange a walkthrough before the facility opens. Supervisor Latifa asked about continued monitoring. Keith said the city plans to perform quarterly testing within the building during the first year and then consider annual testing thereafter to confirm there is no seepage.

The city also described accessibility features: six universal changing rooms (two larger rooms with motorized adult‑sized changing tables and one roll‑in shower) and individual shower stalls in the men’s and women’s locker rooms.

City staff said internal finishing work and landscaping will continue through the fall; they expect grass seeding and tree plantings before the end of the month. Staff training and move‑in will follow substantial completion.

No formal action or vote was taken by the Story County Board of Supervisors on the report; the session was a presentation and Q&A.

Less urgent details: the presentation included renderings and photos of the completed building, parking areas, and interior spaces. The city noted intent to market the facility to Story County residents once opening plans are finalized.