Council members and local pool experts told Woodsonia on Nov. 12 that the developers $15 million aquatic concept does not meet community expectations for a competition-capable aquatic center.

At the council study session, consultants from Brandstetter Carroll and Health Fitness Corporation presented a 27,000-square-foot aquatic and fitness concept that they estimated could be built within a $15,000,000 budget. "We have a high level of confidence that that plan ... could be built for $15,000,000," Ben Brandstetter said.

Several council members pushed back. "Guys, this is not even close to what we were asking for," Council President Sheard said, urging a competition-ready pool that could host high-school meets, diving and therapy programs. Council member O'Neil, who has competitive-swimming experience, and YMCA volunteer Pat O'Neil both emphasized program diversity: lap lanes, an 8-lane competition pool, a dive well and warm-water therapy were repeatedly named as community priorities.

Pat O'Neil, who worked on recent Y pool projects, said older municipal pools often cost more to replace in place and that a properly programmed competitive aquatic center typically falls above the developers $15 million placeholder given todays construction costs. He recommended an 8-lane short-course facility with a spectator area to meet current demand and said the existing YMCA pool is at the end of its useful life.

Consultants responded that the proposed aquatic footprint can be reconfigured to prioritize competition or family programming: "If you're saying we want more competition type of a focus... we can reconfigure that space," an operator consultant said. Brandstetter Carroll and Health Fitness said they would return with revised programming and cost scenarios after more council direction.

Why it matters: voters approved the Good Life District with expectations for sports and aquatic amenities; council members said they would not approve MOU language that leaves the aquatic program undersized relative to those expectations.

Next steps: developers agreed to revisit the aquatic program and funding allocation; Woodsonia said it would work with council-designated contacts and consultants to return with a more detailed aquarium/competition plan by the Dec. 2 MOU presentation.

Ending: Council members tied support for proceeding to a satisfactory aquatic plan; no formal vote was taken but the issue was flagged as a key deliverable for the forthcoming MOU.