Grove Committee Begins Work on Civic Center Question
Members of Grove's Blue Ribbon Committee charged with the responsibility of putting together plans for a new Aquatic Park and Multi-Purpose Events Center met in Executive Session Monday night at City Hall to hear from a developer with an offer to purchase Grove's existing Civic Center building and land.
According to sources, the offer was less than $3.5 million, a figure which had previously been discussed two years ago. Since then, Walgreen's purchased property elsewhere, reducing the value of the Civic Center land.
The unnamed developer would tear down the Civic Center and build a new grocery store, retail stores and a coffee shop at that location, according to sources. Envisioned is the purchase of another parcel of land which would contain a new multi-purpose events center, a nationally branded hotel and restaurant, and the proposed Aquatic Center. All of this is subject to Council and voter approval at a special election, probably in May or June.
After coming out of Executive Session, the Committee voted to seek proposals from additional parties of interest regarding the current Civic Center and explore the cost for a new facility built with "tip-up" concrete, and seek land acquisition costs. The Committee also set Feb. 22 as the date for its next meeting.
After the developer made his proposal, he excused himself from the meeting, sources said, in compliance with state law. The Agenda and announcement were previously cleared by City Attorney Ron Cates under Title 25-307, Sec. 10.
After the Committee finishes its work on both the Aquatic Park and Events Center, City Council will take up the issues which will hopefully go to the voters of Grove in May or June.
Voters will have an opportunity to examine both proposals in detail, and the financing, to make an informed decision, a source said.
Blue Ribbon Committee members are Bill Skea, Connie Brewer, Jeff Lundgren, Pete Churchwell, Betty Bishop, Pam Sitton, and Tim Langley. Their previous efforts have focused on a proposal for a new Aquatic Park with a study being done by Kimley-Horn and Counsilman Hunsaker of Dallas, at a cost of $45,000.
The Draft of the aquatic study contains four options: An outdoor Family Aquatic Center costing about $5 million containing an 8,325-square foot leisure pool with zero-beach entry, water channel, waterslide and a children's slide; a 700-square foot pool for small children, eight shade structures, and locker rooms, two family changing areas, first aid, and pool mechanical/storage rooms.
Option Two is a smaller outdoor-only pool of 5,467 square feet costing about $3.5 million. Option Three is an Indoor Wellness Poll at a cost of $980,000 of about 725 square feet with water between 84-88 degrees that could be used for hydro therapy. It was felt that the Grove Integris Hospital could use such a facility but the consultants were told "the hospital does not see a need for them to have a therapy pool at this time."
Option 4 is for an Outdoor Competitive Pool with "L" at a cost of $2,068,000 for a 4,000 square foot pool.
Two other options were included in the Appendix portion of the study at a cost of $13,608,000 for an outdoor-indoor facility, and $11,133,000 for an indoor leisure pool with smaller outdoor facility.
According to sources, the Committee may lean towards an outdoor-only facility at a cost of between $3 and $4 million, financed over 20 years, with an Indoor-Wellness pool possibly coming later as part of the new multi-purpose events center project. User fees should cover the daily operations and maintenance of the pool, a source said.
The current city pool at Honey Creek State Park costs the city $69,000 a year to operate plus a huge water loss due to bottom leaks. It is considered near-obsolete.
The 100-page study noted that the population base within a 25-mile radius of Grove is expected to be 116,500 by 2011.
The study evaluated target markets, specific user groups, activity programming, marketing strategy, direct funding, capital markets financing, attendance levels, special user group admissions, facility staff costs, cashflow analysis, and operations and maintenance costs.
According to sources, the offer was less than $3.5 million, a figure which had previously been discussed two years ago. Since then, Walgreen's purchased property elsewhere, reducing the value of the Civic Center land.
The unnamed developer would tear down the Civic Center and build a new grocery store, retail stores and a coffee shop at that location, according to sources. Envisioned is the purchase of another parcel of land which would contain a new multi-purpose events center, a nationally branded hotel and restaurant, and the proposed Aquatic Center. All of this is subject to Council and voter approval at a special election, probably in May or June.
After coming out of Executive Session, the Committee voted to seek proposals from additional parties of interest regarding the current Civic Center and explore the cost for a new facility built with "tip-up" concrete, and seek land acquisition costs. The Committee also set Feb. 22 as the date for its next meeting.
After the developer made his proposal, he excused himself from the meeting, sources said, in compliance with state law. The Agenda and announcement were previously cleared by City Attorney Ron Cates under Title 25-307, Sec. 10.
After the Committee finishes its work on both the Aquatic Park and Events Center, City Council will take up the issues which will hopefully go to the voters of Grove in May or June.
Voters will have an opportunity to examine both proposals in detail, and the financing, to make an informed decision, a source said.
Blue Ribbon Committee members are Bill Skea, Connie Brewer, Jeff Lundgren, Pete Churchwell, Betty Bishop, Pam Sitton, and Tim Langley. Their previous efforts have focused on a proposal for a new Aquatic Park with a study being done by Kimley-Horn and Counsilman Hunsaker of Dallas, at a cost of $45,000.
The Draft of the aquatic study contains four options: An outdoor Family Aquatic Center costing about $5 million containing an 8,325-square foot leisure pool with zero-beach entry, water channel, waterslide and a children's slide; a 700-square foot pool for small children, eight shade structures, and locker rooms, two family changing areas, first aid, and pool mechanical/storage rooms.
Option Two is a smaller outdoor-only pool of 5,467 square feet costing about $3.5 million. Option Three is an Indoor Wellness Poll at a cost of $980,000 of about 725 square feet with water between 84-88 degrees that could be used for hydro therapy. It was felt that the Grove Integris Hospital could use such a facility but the consultants were told "the hospital does not see a need for them to have a therapy pool at this time."
Option 4 is for an Outdoor Competitive Pool with "L" at a cost of $2,068,000 for a 4,000 square foot pool.
Two other options were included in the Appendix portion of the study at a cost of $13,608,000 for an outdoor-indoor facility, and $11,133,000 for an indoor leisure pool with smaller outdoor facility.
According to sources, the Committee may lean towards an outdoor-only facility at a cost of between $3 and $4 million, financed over 20 years, with an Indoor-Wellness pool possibly coming later as part of the new multi-purpose events center project. User fees should cover the daily operations and maintenance of the pool, a source said.
The current city pool at Honey Creek State Park costs the city $69,000 a year to operate plus a huge water loss due to bottom leaks. It is considered near-obsolete.
The 100-page study noted that the population base within a 25-mile radius of Grove is expected to be 116,500 by 2011.
The study evaluated target markets, specific user groups, activity programming, marketing strategy, direct funding, capital markets financing, attendance levels, special user group admissions, facility staff costs, cashflow analysis, and operations and maintenance costs.
posted by Editor | 2:00 AM
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