M E M O R A N D U M

TO:                  Mayor Waldorf and the Town Council

FROM:            John Covach, Chair, Homestead Park Aquatic/Community Center Conceptual Plan Committee

DATE:             June 27, 2000

RE:                   Request for a Work Session to Discuss Potential Options for the Proposed Aquatic/Community Center Facility

The Homestead Park Aquatic/ Community Center Conceptual Plan Committee requests that the Council schedule a work session with the Committee sometime in late August or early September. The purpose of the work session would be to fully discuss the many issues involved in the development of a concept plan, prior to the Committee’s submittal of an interim report to the Council.

The Homestead Park Aquatic/Community Center Conceptual Plan Committee has been meeting since November 1999 to address its charge. In the last 7 months we have conducted a thorough needs assessment through numerous interviews of community stakeholders, neighbors, swimmers, and staff. In addition, we held a well-attended public forum. Several committee members visited successful revenue generating public recreation facilities in Virginia. Both our local consultant, Josh Gurlitz of GGA and our aquatic consultant, Scot Hunsaker of Councilman and Hunsaker, have provided extensive information on potential amenities for the facility. In short, we have learned much.

There are many types of aquatic facilities—from 50-meter long course tanks to lazy rivers and vortex waves, 25-meter by 25-yard lap pools to giant slides and play feature tanks. Each of these carries different costs and benefits. We would very much like the opportunity to discuss our findings with you. We believe that a work session would be a very effective way for us to share this information and to receive guidance from the Council.

The Homestead Park Aquatic/Community Center Conceptual Plan Committee would anticipate delivering its interim report to Council three to four weeks following this work session. We are excited about this project and are anxious to involve the Council in this process.