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Marion officials outline referendum timeline, steering committee plans for Willowwood aquatic center
Summary
City staff told council the steering committee has begun design and outreach work for a proposed new aquatic center in Willowwood Park, confirmed a November 4 referendum date, and said consultants will provide an updated business plan in April–May ahead of schematic design.
City staff updated the Marion City Council on Feb. 18 about progress toward a proposed new aquatic center at Willowwood Park and the referendum planned for Nov. 4.
A 15-member steering committee held its first meeting on Feb. 12 (held virtually because of weather), staff said. The committee reviewed an aquatic feasibility study, open-house feedback, and timeline milestones. The council was told that, if voters approve the referendum, the city plans to operate the existing Willowwood Pool until the new facility opens and then redevelop the old pool site into park space. If the referendum fails, staff will “reevaluate the aquatic needs” and outline potential decommissioning or closure steps for the existing pool.
Staff said consultants will produce an updated business plan around April–May as schematic designs move forward. The project team also plans additional community outreach: an open house and steering-committee review in March, followed by marketing and education on the proposed Willow Oak Park concept.
Pickleball, parking and decommissioning questions Council members and staff discussed whether to locate pickleball courts at the new aquatic center or at Willowwood Park. Staff said the council’s preference is to locate pickleball at the aquatic center to reduce noise impacts on nearby residences and to house multiple courts together. “When we talk about active spaces, the Aquatic Center is gonna have a lot of noise… and there’s plenty of separation between residential housing where you’re not going to have that noise pollution,” staff said.
Councilmembers also asked the project team to prepare an analysis of risks and likely costs to keep operating the existing Willowwood Pool if the new facility is delayed or the referendum fails; staff said consultants are working on safety and financial assessments of the pool’s remaining life.
Procurement and next steps Staff said a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) selection is on schedule for April and that interviews and reviews of firms will begin to meet that timeline. The council was also told the chamber of commerce is leading a separate community group to champion the bond campaign if the council approves placing a bond question on the ballot; that group would be independent of the city.
Ending Staff will return to council in March with updated concept plans, steering-committee input and outreach plans; consultants will provide a business-plan update in April–May as schematic design proceeds.
