Plymouth Park Board presented with possible changes to Centennial Park Pool
The Plymouth Park and Recreation Board met for the first time this year on Monday night. While the agenda was light, the board was presented with a conceptual development study by Troyer Group. The design firm was represented by Mike Reese.
In creating this study, Troyer Group did four case studies of various parks across the country including parks in Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, and Washington. One of the focuses of the studies was family atmosphere, according to Reese.
The two concepts that Reese presented to the board shared some features: splash pad, zero depth entry, play pool, and a 3 foot deep swim lesson pool. However, Concept a included more features, but ultimately would cost more.
Concept a would cost $4-5 million in construction/design and would cost $144,500 in total annual expenses. This concept includes aquatic activities that all ages could enjoy. along with the features mentioned above, it would also include an obstacle course, slide, diving boards, climbing wall, and zip line.
Concept B would cost $2-2.5 million in construction/design and would cost $78,500 in total annual expenses. This concept would update the recreational amenities of the current facility while keeping operational costs low. The concept targets families and younger aged children.
Both of the concept’s costs include the removal of the current pool. The public pool was built in 1967. In the presentation, it’s stated that after expenses the cost of running the current pool
facility was about $25,000. In 2019, the gross income for the pool was estimated at $38,000.
Reese said that the construction/design costs as well as total annual expenses have been determined by information from those four case studies.
When asked, Reese told the board that the costs only include outdoor renovations and does not include renovations on the building.
Board President Dave Morrow explained that this presentation is a follow up from the December meeting’s news that the City of Plymouth is trying to determine the future of the Dr. Susan Bardwell Aquatics Center.
“The aquatic center is not set up for any real recreation indoors and in an area that’s not really accessible for city and kids. And also knowing this is our longterm plan anyway. The outdoor pool is about 50 years old and is running its course,” said Morrow.
There was no action for the board to take in regards to the concepts.
Morrow asked Reese about the grant options the board may have for this project.
Reese replied that the project would qualify for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), but the total for that grant is $500,000, but the grant maximum may be raised to $1 million. This grant has a 50/50 match. Other than that, Reese thought that private sources of funding could be sought.
Reese also updated the board on several projects. The first was the renovation of the Hoosier Old Wheels playground and extend the Greenways Trail out to Plymouth-goshen Trail. An application was filed with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in Summer 2020 to obtain funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Submitted to the state, Reese said that Federal approval in March. Bidding and construction is expected for later this year. The total project is estimated at $500,000 and there is a 50/50 match. The board approved an agreement with Troyer Group for this project in the amount of $52,600.
Being the first meeting of the year, the board approved a motion to retain the officers from the 2020 year for the 2021 year. Those officers are Dave Morrow as president, Mike Kershner as vice president, and Laura Mann as secretary.
Park Superintendent Mike Hite informed the board that he was contacted by the Community Crossings group, the owner of the apartment complex across the river from River Park Square. The group told Hite that they had extra dirt they would like to donate to the Park and Recreation Department. Hite stated that there was low ground near the chicken coop on the northern side of Centennial Park near Plymouth-goshen Trail that the dirt was used. He also said that the group was filling and leveling the dirt in the area specified by Hite. He thanked the group for the donation.
There will be a street dedication event on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 4:45 p.m. Later last year, the board approved Randolph Drive by the tennis courts be renamed to Wilhelm Drive. The section of road is named in honor of long-time Park Board Member Jack Wilhelm.