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Pontiac council approves design for new youth recreation center, opts to build core facility now and add pool later
Summary
After hours of debate about size, cost and long‑term operations, Pontiac City Council authorized architects to prepare construction documents for a two‑level youth recreation center (Option 3A) at the former McCarroll School site and set a financing path that relies on ARPA, general‑fund balances and philanthropic fundraising.
Council in Pontiac voted to move ahead with design and engineering for a new youth recreation center at the former McCarroll School site, adopting Option 3A — a two‑level, roughly $37.0 million plan that does not include an indoor aquatic center in phase one but preserves options to add aquatic facilities later.
The decision came after more than two hours of presentations and public comment on Aug. 27. Mayor Grama and administration officials outlined a funding plan that would combine American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, a draw on the city’s general fund balance, potential borrowing and philanthropic contributions. The mayor said the city could “utilize $44,000,000 of city funds in a way that is very fiscally responsible,” while noting philanthropic fundraising could reduce the city’s cash commitment.
The Parks and Recreation director, Terence Price, warned council that operations will add ongoing costs and highlighted security, insurance and staffing as important line items. He gave a first‑year operating projection that with a pool the annual operating shortfall could be roughly $760,000; without a pool the shortfall is smaller but still notable. “One of the first things we want to emphasize is security,” Price said, stressing that safety is critical to a successful facility.
Council members split on ambition versus fiscal caution. Supporters argued the facility is a once‑in‑a‑generation investment that will serve youth and families and can generate rental and program revenue; opponents pressed for a smaller scope that would reduce near‑term risk. Pro Tem Carrington and four other council members backed Option 3A; Councilwoman James cast the lone opposing vote, arguing the city should build the full facility, including an aquatic center, now.
Architects and the preconstruction manager at risk explained phasing tradeoffs: adding a full indoor aquatic center later is possible but will cost more than building it as part of the initial scope because of lost economies of scale and potential construction escalation. Clark White (preconstruction manager) said an add‑on would require some redesign and likely produce schedule and cost impacts.
What happens next: the council authorized Racer Design Studios and Hobbs and Black to prepare full architecture, engineering and construction documents for Option 3A and directed staff to continue pursuing grants and philanthropic support. Council also instructed administration to prepare a transition plan for youth programming while the facility is under design and construction; construction is estimated to begin in mid‑2025 with completion timelines varying by option (Option 3A estimated late 2026).
