The establishment of an Aquatics Center at the Oaks Building, 455 N. Wilson Ave. (the site of a City Recreation Center built in the 1930s – now vacant) is Location Option 1. This proposed concept aims to revitalize this locally significant site into a state-of-the-art community hub for recreation and wellness by creating a new aquatics facility. The proposed Aquatics Center would honor the site’s multifaceted history, from its New Deal origins to its educational and civic roles. Admission fees would be required.

This concept would include:

• Exercise, activity & recreation pool with six 25-yard exercise lanes
• Children’s pool with play structure and zero depth pool entry
• “Splash Pad” interactive water feature
• Shaded Event Pavilion
• Support Spaces/Structures for:
  - Lifeguards & Staff
  - Concessions
  - Restrooms
  - Pump & Filter Equipment

Feasibility Study

The City contracted with Straughn Trout Architects to conduct a feasibility study - including parking - for this site. While the main pool and other accessory aquatics features will be identical at both location options, the firm submitted the following conceptual renderings that envisioned a redesigned Oaks Building. Click here to see the entire study.

Parking  

The site is currently zoned as “PI - Public Institutional”, which does not qualify for an exemption from off-street parking requirements per the City’s Unified Land Development Code, Section 3.03.02 (C).

Estimated Parking Requirements

• City Hall - 35 spaces
• Public Works - 9 spaces
• Girl Scout House - 20 spaces

New Facility

• Bistro / Cafe 80 Seats 2/5 Seats 32 spaces
• Aquatics Center 430 Bathers 1/5 Bathers 86 spaces

Total estimated parking to be provided: 182 spaces

Estimated costs

• Construction - $4.96 million
• Personnel - $406,835
• Operational - $66,000
• Maintenance - $25,000
• Total Operating Expenses- $497,835*