The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted unanimously to forward an RFP for an aquatics feasibility study to the Wimberley City Council with the board’s support and asked staff to pursue council approval. The motion passed with all members voting in favor.
The feasibility study described by Richard, Parks Director, would evaluate potential aquatic recreation services and facilities for the city, including a full engagement plan, market-conditions analysis within a 30–45 minute trade area, site investigation and screening, shortlisting up to three potential sites, and 3–4 concept alternatives with plan-level diagrams. Richard said the study would also include 10-year operating cost estimates, funding and governance strategies, drought and water-conservation recommendations, phasing, permitting and procurement pathways, public meetings and a presentation to board and council.
The study is intended to show “what it would take to build a pool in Wimberley,” Richard said, and to present income estimates versus operating cost estimates so the city can understand long-term fiscal implications. Estimated study costs cited from prior work ranged from about $30,000 to $50,000, Richard said; no formal budget was adopted by the board at the meeting.
Board members discussed scope questions including whether site identification should be central to the study, possible partnerships with the school district, and options for third-party operation (for example, YMCA-style management). One member said site acquisition could be outside the study’s immediate scope if the city must purchase land. The board requested that optional tasks that analyze comparable communities be moved into required scope if affordable, to provide better market context.
The board voted to forward the RFP to council with Parks Board support so the city can seek council approval and release the RFP. Richard said the RFP timeline would depend on council approval and that, if approved, the bid process typically takes two to three months.
The board emphasized water-conservation and reuse in Wimberley’s environmental context and asked staff to ensure the RFP addresses permitting, drought planning and operating-cost modeling. No council action had occurred as of the meeting; the board’s vote was a recommendation to send the item to city council.