Decatur County panel hears $2 million request to keep proposed aquatic center project moving
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Project proponents outlined a $4.0–4.5 million plan for a new Allen Memorial Aquatic Center and said fundraising and matches total about $2.5 million so far, leaving an approximate $2 million shortfall; they asked the council to authorize up to $2 million to continue the project while private fundraising continues.
Rick Nobby presented detailed plans for a proposed Allen Memorial Aquatic Center, saying the total project cost is estimated at $4.0–4.5 million and that the county has budgeted $4.5 million to cover potential overruns. Nobby described features including four flume slides, a family slide, a 30-by-30 splash pad, an ADA-compliant zero entry and a UV sterilization system intended to improve water quality.
“Right now, we currently have $1,000,000 in funds from the Decatur County Community Foundation,” Nobby said, adding that there may be a $300,000 match and that recent donations have added about $40,000 over two weeks. He said other private and public fundraising efforts bring the current raised total to roughly $2.5 million, leaving about $2.0 million to reach the conservative project target.
Nobby asked the council to approve up to $2 million to allow the project to continue advancing while additional private, corporate and foundation fundraising continues. He said preliminary deconstruction work and investigative sampling (including core samples for asbestos) have taken place and that the work already done was needed regardless of whether the site became a parking lot or a new pool.
Council members discussed financing mechanics and the potential need to attach any bond or loan to a repayable revenue source. Nobby said he had spoken with a financial adviser who estimated possible loan rates around 3.98 percent by the time borrowing would be required.
The presentation included project and revenue assumptions, references to surveyed data from comparable community pools, and an expectation that the adjoining sports complex would increase attendance and revenue. Nobby said the group will return with further updates and requested the council continue to consider the project while they pursue the remaining funds.
The council did not record a formal vote authorizing the full $2 million during this meeting; members agreed to keep the project on the agenda and to consult in January as fundraising and financing options are refined.