AGENDA #8
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed Pool Program
DATE: March 5, 2001
We recommend that the Council adopt the following resolution to establish a conceptual development program for a community aquatics center and to request the Orange County Board of Commissioners to designate $3.5 million of the prospective County Park Bond issue for this project.
In 1996, the Town Council approved a bond referendum, which among other things, was to fund an aquatics center at Homestead Park. Since then the Homestead Park Aquatic/Community Center Conceptual Plan Committee, working with consultants, has explored a range of program elements for inclusion in the center. After consideration of the Committee’s report and a public forum held on January 29, 2001, the Council referred the matter to the Town Manager.
The attached drawing, Attachment 1, is a representation of what we believe are the essential elements of an aquatic center program for the Town of Chapel Hill.
These elements include a competitive pool 25 yards by 25 meters with a depth ranging from 4.5 to 6 feet, and a family/warm water pool 25 yards by 10 yards with zero depth entry ranging to four feet in depth. The larger pool could accommodate competitions and team practice, lap swimming, adult lessons and general swim. The smaller pool could accommodate three lap lanes, a teaching area suitable for children and individuals with disabilities, and general swim activities for those wanting or needing a higher temperature than would be available in the larger pool.
The program also includes deck area large enough to accommodate bleachers; separate locker rooms for men, women, families and disabled swimmers with attendants; reception, office and classroom space; and public toilets.
An important feature of this program and conceptual design is that expansion is possible to provide programming space for other parks and recreation activities.
A summary of general cost estimates is presented in Attachment 2. The total estimated cost is $5.5 million.
The Council has allocated $1,175,000 in remaining 1996 Park Bond funds for the construction of a community aquatics center. The County has allocated $855,000 from its 1997 Park Bonds for use at Homestead Park, and we believe that these funds should be used to pay part of the costs of constructing the aquatics center. These two sources total $2,030,000, resulting in a funding gap of $3,470,000. We believe it would be reasonable to request that the County Commissioners designate $3,500,000 of funding in itsprospective 2001 bond issue to complete the funding needed for the aquatics center.
We believe that the program described above would provide a much-needed facility for Chapel Hill residents and other citizens of Orange County. It would meet the needs expressed in the January public forum for both a lap pool and a warm water pool. It would also provide for expansion, so that additional recreational activities could be provided in the same building in the future.
Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A
CONCEPTUAL PROGRAM FOR THE HOMESTEAD PARK AQUATIC/COMMUNITY CENTER AND
REQUESTING THE ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING
(2001-03-05/R-12)
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill has considered various elements that might be included in a community aquatics center; and
WHEREAS, the Council has determined that certain features are essential for such a center;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts a conceptual program for a community aquatics center that includes:
-Competitive Pool: 25 meters by 25 yards, 4.5 to 6 feet in depth
-Family/Warm Water Pool: 25 yards by 10 yards, 0 depth to 4 feet
- Deck: 24’ at bleachers, 20’ at front, 10’ at other locations
-Locker Rooms: 108 lockers, 10 showers, 1 handicap shower and 1 handicap
toilet for each gender
-Family and Disabled Lockers: 12 lockers, 2 handicap showers and 1 handicap
toilet
-Office
-Classroom
-Reception and waiting areas
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council requests the Board of Commissioners of Orange County to release $855,000 in 1997 Park Bond funds and to designate $3,500,000 of funding in its prospective 2001 bond issue to complete the funding needed for the aquatics center.
This the 5th day of March, 2001.