Manhattan Parks and Rec is getting closer to wrapping up its comprehensive plan.
Parks and Rec director Aaron Stewart says a large aspect of that includes the potential addition of indoor aquatics, which they plan to present to the city commission later this year.
Parks and Rec conducted a statistically valid survey to gauge community interest in the proposed aquatic center. The survey, which has an accuracy up to 95%, showed significant support for such a project.
In the past, rumors have swirled about the potential for a facility to be located in CiCo Park, where the city maintains one of three outdoor pools already. Northeast Community Park was also floated as an idea, but Stewart says floodplain issues there make that option not feasible. Stewart says the ideal spot for any future facility would be City Park.
The city is considering an extension of a quality of life sales tax to help fund any potential project, which Stewart estimates would be roughly between $40 and $60 million.
