Mayor's Message
Swimming in Opportunity
Last week, Edmond took a giant step forward. Our second swimming facility is moving towards reality. Preliminary plans include an indoor family swimming area (a smaller version of our Pelican Bay); a workout/swim lesson area; and a competitive 50 meter swimming pool and seating for up to 800 spectators.
A partnership between the City of Edmond and the Y (YMCA) was approved by both boards. A few days later, an interlocal agreement between the City and Edmond Public Schools (EPS) was approved by both the school board and City Council. These three partners, all critical to this state-of-the-art facility, have accomplished something that has never been done in Oklahoma, to create an aquatic center that is only a dream in other Oklahoma communities.
This discussion has been ongoing for 10 years. When you – the voters of Edmond – approved the 2000 sales tax, you asked for a second swimming facility for our community. As city leaders attempted to meet this need, partners like the Y came to the table. The EPS always joined the conversation, and let it be known that with the competitive swim teams growing by leaps and bounds, a competitive pool was being seriously considered.
In the last 15 months, these three partners got serious. The City of Edmond, in the designated 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund, held 6 million taxpayer dollars that was set aside to meet the citizens’ request of the second facility. We have the land set aside at Mitch Park next to the MAC. But we knew that this amount would not cover the building costs.
After design concepts were requested, a family-friendly, senior citizen friendly design was presented, but cost estimates were 12 million. The partnership with the Y also includes recreation facilities with a fitness center, indoor walking trail, special exercise rooms and gymnasium which the Y will operate.
The Y also agreed to a critical capital contribution of $6,000,000.
But this family-friendly pool and play area did not meet the needs for a competitive swimming pool. Edmond has a growing number of swim teams, with many neighborhoods like, Steeplechase and Chimney Hills, having huge numbers of children participating. Competitive teams like the Chesapeake Swim Team and the Extreme Aquatic Team travel all over Oklahoma to swim meets. Parents drive these children to neighboring cities to practice. In a recent swim meet, 450 children competed, with 400 of them being from Edmond.
All this played into the decision of the Edmond City Council and the Edmond School Board to continue the discussion of how to bring a competitive pool to Edmond. With much work and negotiation, the two have reached an agreement that a 10 million dollar school bond request will be placed on the ballot for Edmond residents in December. This money will provide the funding for the actual building of the pool and the venue for spectators, with the City of Edmond contributing the land and infrastructure such as an additional road and utilities. Both the school and the City will contribute to its operation.
Only one other Oklahoma community is looking at a facility of this type. But Edmond has taken giant steps toward bringing Oklahoma’s top aquatic facility to our city – both as a partner with our public schools, and a partner with our private and philanthropic sectors. It is likely to be the home for many competitive swim teams, and could be the site for state competitions. Much like our other youth sports such as soccer, baseball and lacrosse, Edmond can be a leader in this type of tourism. It is economic development that fits our family-friendly city; economic development that meets the need of our public schools, and our active neighborhoods; and economic development to benefit our citizens.
A win-win for all of us and a swimmingly-terrific partnership.
Patrice Douglas,
Mayor
Posted: September 07, 2010
