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Kennedale EDC approves grant to Spirals to build swim facility at 1083 N. Bowman Springs Road
Summary
The EDC approved an EDC fund grant for Spirals to build a dedicated learn-to-swim pool and expanded camp facilities at 1083 N. Bowman Springs Road; applicants said the shallow, 42-by-27.5-foot pool (~21,000 gallons) is designed for children and camp programming, and that permits were obtained days earlier.
The Kennedale Economic Development Corporation on Feb. 3 approved a grant application for property at 1083 N. Bowman Springs Road to support Spirals' plan to build a learn-to-swim pool and expand summer-camp programming.
Staff said the grant application packet was administratively complete and that, for transparency, a staff member disclosed a potential conflict: a staff member's daughter has used Spirals services. Spirals representatives presented the proposal and described their history as a family-owned swim and gymnastics organization that serves Mansfield and Kennedale families.
The applicants described the project as both a public-safety and economic-development measure. "This facility will serve as a primary hub for developmental swim lessons in Kennedale," the presenter said, adding that the pool would reduce travel for Kennedale families and create local employment. Spirals representatives said about 350 Kennedale families currently participate in their programs and that the Kennedale seasonal camp has employed about 13 local people.
Design details discussed at the meeting included a roughly 42-by-27.5-foot pool with an estimated 21,000 gallons of water and a shallow design for learn-to-swim programming (applicants discussed teaching beginning swimmers and noted a top depth in the plan of about 4.5 feet). The presenters said they had completed permitting two days before the meeting and estimated 6'8 weeks of permitting/site work before mid-April, with the goal of offering swim programming by Memorial Day; they cautioned that grant rules prevent spending grant funds before the grant is formally approved.
A board member moved to approve the EDC fund grant for the property; the motion was seconded. Board members asked when construction could start; the applicants replied that construction could begin as soon as permit conditions and grant rules are satisfied and the project is approved for spending.
The meeting transcript records the motion, the second and the follow-up planning discussion; the transcript does not include a detailed roll-call tally for the grant vote. Subsequent Q&A covered staffing (applicants said they plan to expand lifeguard and seasonal hires), membership and private-rental policy (applicants preferred members-only with options for nonmember rates), and site layout (presenters said they would not remove existing live oaks and would use an open lot adjacent to newly added parking).
Quotes in this article are taken directly from the meeting transcript.
