Downtown move for aquatic center discussed

An aquatic center proposed for eastern Fort Dodge should be placed in the city's core, in the opinion of a downtown advocate.

''I just see something moving to the edge of town that ought to be in the center of town,'' said Steve Pederson, a member of the Self Supported Municipal Improvement District's Executive Board.

He said the district could provide $1 million to buy land for the center if it was placed downtown.

The district is a roughly 32-square-block downtown area in which property owners pay an extra tax to finance improvements there.

Pederson made his plea for moving the center downtown during a Friday afternoon board meeting.

Fellow board member Jim Bird said it's probably too late to change the aquatic center plan, but he agreed that a major attraction to draw people downtown is needed.

''If we don't have some kind of anchor that makes downtown a destination, we're wasting our money,'' he said.

He said an indoor recreation center called for in a city plan would be a good fit for the area because it would be used all year.

Amy Bruno, executive director of the Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce, said a poll commissioned by aquatic center backers showed a downtown location would be unpopular.

The proposed center would be built on about 23 acres of land at the northeast corner of 32nd Street and 10th Avenue North. That land would be donated by Tom and Norma Schmoker, of Fort Dodge, if the city's voters approve the project.

Those voters are scheduled to decide Aug. 26 if the city government should borrow up to $8.95 million to pay for the park. That borrowing would be in the form of a general obligation bond issue that would have to be approved by at least 60 percent of those voting.

The debt would be paid off with property tax revenue. City officials have estimated that the bond debt would cost the average homeowner $3.50 per month, or $42 a year.

The center would consist of a 640-foot lazy river, three water slides, a shallow recreational pool and a 25-yard competition lap and diving pool.

Ten of the 23 acres of donated land would be used for a park.

If the bond issue is approved, the center could be open in 2010.

Expo Pool on North Seventh Street would be closed and demolished after the center opened.

Although Pederson wants the executive board to have some influence on the aquatic center planning, the panel took no action Friday.

Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net

Member Comments

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Flinch5549
07-31-08 7:20 PM »Report Abuse	I think it is absolutely a terrific idea. I have been a FD resident almost all my life. There is nothing to draw people to want to come in to our community. We need to get with the program. I am a tax payer near the High School and even though my taxes would go up, I am all for the Pool.KJorgensen
Robertwilson
07-23-08 8:57 PM »Report Abuse	Dodger 07-23-08 1:07 PM If that's your best response now ROBERT, well.... Well yea it is..
mongococo
07-23-08 5:06 PM »Report Abuse	Let's not get excited until we see the final cost for the center. When I do then I will vote yes or no. At this time I see the center is not the way to spent my money for the future.
Dodger
07-23-08 1:07 PM »Report Abuse	If that's your best response now ROBERT, well....
Robertwilson
07-23-08 10:08 AM »Report Abuse	Dodger.. Stale hot air..L.O.L..
Alfred
07-23-08 6:10 AM »Report Abuse	Cool can't wait till there are done! I wonder if it will cost to get in, and how much? I wish that there could be a indoor skating ring so people could skate in the summer months but its cool. Now we have something to do in the summer but what about winter?
ckelly
07-22-08 7:06 PM »Report Abuse	Our families and many of our friends have been to the aquatic centers in many of the cities you mentioned. The aquatic centers in Algona, Garner, and Clear Lake are also great. Their towns are a lot smaller than FD and seem to be doing just fine. I think Garner's population is 4,000 people, and what a nice water park they have!
Dodger
07-22-08 1:15 AM »Report Abuse	Good point, MONGOCO. After all, it's not like an Aquatic Center has successfully opened in Cedar Falls, Marshalltown, Mason City, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Clive, Clinton, Eagle Grove, Clarion, Humboldt....would you like for me to continue? Because I will. Face it: these facilities are a rousing success in every community that builds them, big and small. We're already basically the last in Iowa to not have one -- that's not keeping up with the Joneses, it's adjusting to the times. Fort Dodge needs to get into the 21st Century. My guess is most of you naysayers have never even been to an Aquatic Center and have no idea what it features or how it operates.
Dodger
07-22-08 1:11 AM »Report Abuse	Gotta love it: the Cheerio Wizzers are offended that someone is stopping their stream.
ckelly
07-21-08 11:02 PM »Report Abuse	I'm am buying property in Fort Dodge. We are a younger family. We are voting YES, YES YES!! Ha!
Robertwilson
07-21-08 9:34 PM »Report Abuse	Dodger.. What the heck is going on here. You keep beating the same old Drum.. What are you making Money off of this Deal in some way?? You have way to much time on your hand's .Being on this Site all the time bashing everyone's Idea's, and opinion's. Who Died and left you in Charge anyway????? You know a Realitor, and you know 70 Family memebrship's in the Humbolt Pool from Fort Dodge. Your swinging the Ball Bat and your getting nothing but Air. Your own Hot air that is. Give it up and go make an Honest Living..L.O.L.
mongococo
07-21-08 4:36 PM »Report Abuse	Dodge: I'm in agreement with welcome. He stated waste of money and it's not a negative progoganda like you said. Can you tell me what the total cost will be to build this center. 9 million dollar loan with 4.25% in 15 years. To be used 5 to 6 months out of the year. Come on let's have all the facts before we vote. Out of the total fee, around $5.00 to $7.00 person how much will be profitable to the loan. It's like a business, what is my total profit per sale after all cost. No way would I or others ever open a business with a 9 million loan with 4.5% and only open 5-6 months per year. If this was a great deal why has no company or business man open a park here. Besides why is FD going into the center as owner lets look for a outside to open and run.
yougonow
07-21-08 11:54 AM »Report Abuse	Welcome : I don't use the Senior Citizens Center, the golf courses in town, or DART bus. But, I believe in their fuction in town and I supports their use for others. Secondly, you might be surprised at how many younger families end up in Fort Dodge due to our large employers, like FDAH, the gypsum plants, and the schools. Yes, I do know this as a fact since many of my friends are "transplants". Their #1 complaint? Fort Dodge doesn't invest in their young families!! What do I say to this argument? It's true. Let's change that!
Dodger
07-21-08 11:25 AM »Report Abuse	WELCOME: You say, "From a business point of view it's a great waste of money for everyone." Do you have the numbers to back up that statement? Can you speak for the literally dozens of other communities in Iowa that have taken on similar projects? If it's such a "waste of money," why are they so popular to build and attend? Some of the negative propoganda being pushed on this site is laughable at best.
mongococo
07-20-08 8:41 PM »Report Abuse	Im in agreement with many others here in Fd that we need to use the money we have with other programs that will benefit all citizens in FD. With the high cost of living we need to work with all programs and spent what money we have on wise issues.
welcome
07-20-08 11:39 AM »Report Abuse	Ckelly where do you drink your lunch at? Your statement "you are abssolutely right. I believe the aquatic center will draw the younger generation to fd knowing their kids will have a place and things to do." YOu must be playing in left field. Younger generation don't come to FD because of new high paying jobs after college in other parts of the us. Fd has nothing to afford the younger people. Why should others without kids help pay the way with a center so your kids can do things or play. FD have many places for kids, YMCA-Parks-ball fields, Expo and the river to fish in. Besides this center will only open 5-6 months out of the year. From a business point of view it's a great waste of money for everyone.
ckelly
07-19-08 9:03 PM »Report Abuse	Dodger, you are absolutely right. I believe the aquatic center will draw the younger generation to FD knowing their kids will have things to do. I also agree there has to be a convenient way to be able to get all the kids to/from the aquatic center. It'd be nice if the city council would work on a transportation agreement -- say pick the kids up at a central location at 1:00 p.m. and drop them back off at 5:00 p.m. -- something like that.
ForEveryone
07-19-08 7:53 PM »Report Abuse	These gentleman come out and say we need a centralized aquatic center so it can be near a new rec. center. Are these gentleman on any other boards for facilities that need to be bailed out by the public, in order to sustain financially? The aquatics center yes, but please people of FD do not get suckered into paying for a new rec center when we already have several places to work out. No more taxes for the want's of a few! Aquatic center yes! Rec center no! Be careful people of FD!
Dodger
07-19-08 7:42 PM »Report Abuse	That was a joke about Badger, SPIFFY. You must be a joy to talk to. Question -- if you hate FD so much, why live here?
Spiffy
07-19-08 5:51 PM »Report Abuse	So let me get this straight, right now, the main positive factor about the proposed location for the FORT DODGE aquatic center is that it would be easy for Badger residents to get to? You go FD! Keep on making those legendary decisions you're known for and watch the people continue to flow out of town. Furthermore, you must smoking crack to think that a "lazy river" and a wave pool will have any bearing on a young adult choosing a town to move to. I think having a good job market might do a little more. Anyways, it never ceases to amaze me what level of stupidity FD operates at-sorry to be so negative/truthful. Will the last person out of town seriously turn off the lights. Cheers.
Dodger
07-19-08 5:24 PM »Report Abuse	I doubt this is being proposed at the sacrifice of jobs or the hunt for meaningful employment, bystander. Just a guess. They're probably seeing it more as a springboard to get younger people attracted to the community who may otherwise be on the fence (teachers, nurses/doctors, people at the labs, the new ethanol plants, etc.). I have a realator friend who said the lack of an aquatic center has been a deal breaker often when a young family is considering FD. May sound materialistic to some, but I do think there is some credence to it. I agree on the public transportation issue -- I would hope they'd get something set up with DART buses. That would be most logical to me.
bystander
07-19-08 4:03 PM »Report Abuse	I agree that it would be easy access for Badger and people coming in from out of town from the East. But other than Knollcrest Addition and people that live just north of the High School. It will be a trek getting there. I really hope they have some idea for transportation for the younger kids that can't drive yet to get there and use it. I dont live that far from the proposed site but I am thinking of the kids that live on the West Side or they ones that live around Expo and most of the South Side. My guess is that it would only be near about 1/4 of the kids that would be able to use it. The only reason for this site is the land being donated nothing more they surely aren't considering how many people it will be near. My main complaint about this is that the city wants to borrow close to 9 mil for what someplace to swim. How about looking and trying to get a business in here that will create real jobs instead of a few jobs for teenagers making minimun wage.
Dodger
07-19-08 3:30 PM »Report Abuse	The proposed site would be just a stone's throw away from Badger -- that's for sure. I was in favor of a more central location, but the land simply doesn't exist. Period. The advantage of having it on the Schmoker property, if it succeeds, is easy access for out-of-town guests, proximity to the shopping/restaurant area, and a relatively safe route for kids to reach via bike (vs., say, Rogers Park or someplace on the outskirts of town). Put a public transportation system in place for kids from "distant" neighborhoods (if there is such a thing here) and you're set.
Badger
07-19-08 3:02 PM »Report Abuse	Let's be realistic, downtown is a slum with a lot of shady characters lurking around. Put it in an area that is safe, clean, and with plenty of parking. Everyone in Fort Dodge can drive there in less than 15 minutes. Plus it will be closer to the good poeple of Badger!
Dodger
07-19-08 11:21 AM »Report Abuse	CKELLY: From what I've heard, it's still being considered down the road. They didn't want to partner it with the aquatic center because of the land requirements (not enough for an aquatic center in a central part of town, but they didn't want to move the Y away from that area). It's a lot easier to go indoor than outdoor in a given spot. That's why I find this article laughable. These guys are heavy on theory and light on common sense in my book.

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