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Conway Council appropriates funds as community center nears summer opening
Summary
Council approved an ordinance to appropriate funds for completion of the Conway Community Center and heard a presentation on construction progress, features and operating plans. The measure passed unanimously and staff outlined hiring, membership plans and operating-budget assumptions.
Conway City councilors on the Public Service Committee approved an ordinance appropriating funds for completion of the Conway Community Center and heard a presentation with construction photos, program plans and operating assumptions.
Conway City community center director Jamie Bryce told the committee the facility remains on schedule to open this summer and walked members through the building’s featured spaces, staffing plans and initial pricing and operating assumptions.
Bryce said staff are recruiting for key positions: “we are accepting resumes right now for the operations manager and the maintenance manager. I think as of 4 o’clock today, I had over 65 resumes. I have 1 resume for maintenance managers,” and described upcoming membership drives planned late this spring.
The presentation highlighted the natatorium and outdoor aquatic features. Bryce reported that the water-slide platform measures 35 feet, the longest slide is 264 feet and that “the perimeter of the Lazy River measures 705 feet.” She described an outdoor kids leisure pool with zero-depth entry, an indoor natatorium, and a gymnasium configured for eight volleyball courts and 12 indoor pickleball courts. A community room shown in slides measures “over 1,100 square foot,” and staff plan four dedicated birthday/party rooms.
On operations and budget, staff said the facility’s 2025 budget does not break even on its own and relies on a $600,000 contribution from AMP; the remainder of the operating gap is covered from the city’s general fund. Bryce said the city’s “goal is…to break even” in operations and that the first year will be treated as a learning period for attendance and revenue assumptions.
Council members asked about membership sales, resident versus nonresident rates and accessibility. Bryce said the city plans membership marketing before opening and that nonresident daily passes are listed on the presented fee sheet as $10 for adults, $7 for youth and $5 for seniors; staff said policies under development will require an adult for patrons under 15. On accessibility, Bryce said staff are addressing sidewalk repairs and other site elements to ensure wheelchair access to the facility.
The council approved the appropriation ordinance (emergency clause included) by a 7–0 vote. Recorded votes during the adoption were all in favor; no councilor voted no or abstained.
The city plans to begin membership drives and to open the facility this summer; staff emphasized the first year will inform final program offerings and rate-setting.
