A proposal for an “all-purpose” aquatic center was presented in a City Council workshop Tuesday, Nov. 16.
A multi-purposed natatorium with competition and wellness features concept was created after local entities “struggled with a $21 million project,” Wellness Matagorda Chairman Loy Sneary told council.
That former project incorporated several features including an aquatics-themed park that “had a price tag beyond reach.”
Sneary, joined by former City Councilman Bill Cornman, said they went back to consultants telling them, “This is what we really need.”
Sneary reminded council that the intent of the aquatic centers proposals has been centered on the No. 1 goal of drowning prevention – to teach every Matagorda County youngster how to swim by the third grade.
The new proposal, like the previous one, will be located between Bay City High School and Matagorda Regional Medical Center.
Sneary said landowners of that property remain interested and the project “has
been cut down to its basic elements.”
The covered pool can be used year-around with sides that can be elevated.
There will be a “warm up and down” pool, Sneary added, and the facility can be built for future expansion “when resources are available.”
There is potential land for development opportunities, Sneary said of the Texas 35 west location, where Nile Valley Road, connecting Texas 35 and Texas 60 south, has recently been rebuilt.
Sneary said the new aquatics center proposal could hire 10-12 fulltime jobs and 90 part-time jobs, mostly for students.
“There’s a good market for smaller water parks,” Sneary pointed out.
The new pool plan will cost $10-12 million, Sneary said.
Sneary said he was aware that the city had donated the 16th Street pool to Bay City ISD.
“Let’s start here,” he added. “Let’s wait for what the ISD does.
“What we’re asking is to stay on the team” for a possible aquatics center, he said, seeking city council members to sit down with other entities and work on a plan.
With three entities – City, Matagorda County and BCISD – “we could possible split up costs by a third each.
“I don’t think this is that big of a hill to climb,” Sneary said.
Mayor Pro Tem Jason Childers asked Sneary about fund raising.
“We’re not asking for money until we get a commitment” to start work, Sneary replied.
He said big donors could get involved and grants from different entities are possible.
“But we can’t apply until we get people say they’re interested” in the project, Sneary added.
Council Member Bradley Westmoreland asked about the projected life of such a project.
Sneary said he couldn’t answer that, but “we want replacement costs built into the budget.”
He mentioned adding about $50,000 a year for a maintenance account.
“I know expenses could run to $100,000.”
Sneary said he came to council first on the newest proposal.
“I’ll talk to other groups about sitting down. I’ll contact y’all later.”
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