by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
After a heated exchange took place during the June 15 council meeting, the St. Joseph City Council decided to have the water amenity committee re-present materials to clear up any confusion on the issue.
The committee plans to present on the cost, updated designs, pricing and future planning sessions at its July 6 meeting. Council meetings begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at 25 College Ave. N.
Background
Back on April 6, the city council chose to approve and move forward on the documents presented by Tom Schaffer of USAquatics. The estimated cost of the next step in this process is $71,000. The total cost of the water amenity is estimated at $6.14 million, with operating costs estimated at $254,000 annually. A study proposes charging $6 per entry.
Included in the concept are a multi-use pool with one- and three-meter diving boards; grassy lounge areas; a lazy river; three water slides; rental tents; water geysers and an aqua fort on a splash pad; a covered seating area; changing rooms; a concession stand; a zip line; and shade structures. The design also calls for heated water.
The preferred site chosen by the committee for the water amenity is north of Hwy 75 on CR 133, though no land purchases have been made. Soil sampling may be conducted in the near future, but a final site has not been chosen.
An input session was previously held to determine residents’ feelings on the issue at the April 20 city council meeting. The room was packed with people both for and against the project.
