The next phase of the new Echo Pool feasibility is underway and officials want more people to have a say designing the facility.
The project’s second open house is being held on Monday, June 27 at Echo Centre, 7 p.m.
There, project consultants will unveil three concept drawings of the new facility complete with cost estimates for each.
“We want as many people as possible to come out and give input and ask questions,” Parks and Recreational official Ron Doetzel said.
The three concepts are based on the input consultants received at the first public session held earlier this month at which 30 people attended.
Input was also received in the form of 60 questionnaires filled out and returned to Parks and Rec.
The three concepts are based on a new facility, remodeling the old facility and a blend of the two.
Price ranges for the concepts are up to and over the $15 million that was cited as a benchmark at the last meeting.
The figure was based on facilities built in similar sized communities.
The old facility has served the purpose of more than one generation.
But separate competitive/leisure pools, larger fitness rooms and whirlpools, and more amenities and programs for young people are the norm in newer facilities.
The issue of how the pool would be paid for hasn’t been broached yet because the process is in the conceptual stage.
But attracting users wouldn’t be a problem, Doetzel said.
“More people would want to use the new facility,” he said.
“If we added more amenities for youth, for instance, then that demographic would grow.”
The next phase of the process will be for the consultants to refine the input into a more substantive model.
“We’ll get a better idea of what exactly is possible,” Doetzel said.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com