Hunter
11/14/24
The City of Coralville has decided to replace, rather than repair, its Rec Center.
The Daily Iowan reports the city is also planning on adding a new 110-acre park.
In August, the city council adopted a master plan for an update to the facility. Two options were presented, including redoing the 40-year-old aquatic center. A study deemed the center outdated and in a state of deterioration.
The other option , which the City Council officially gave the OK to, will be to tear down the existing facility and build a new aquatic center.
Director of Parks and Recreation Shari Proud said the current recreation center will remain open while the new facility is being built.
The student newspaper says both options are estimated to cost around the same amount, with the rebuild option ranging between $50 and $55 million and the renovation option ranging between $52 and $56 million, Proud said.
Plans for the new center include a competition pool with spectator seating, a recreation and community lap pool, and a leisure pool. Other amenities include three gyms with an elevated walking track, various fitness rooms, and meeting and activity spaces.
Because a number of Iowa City schools use the aquatic center for its swimming teams, the School District has pledged $17 million towards the project. That leaves approximately $38 million in funding that the city needs to come up with.