CARY CHANGES SWIM CENTER CONCEPT

Town Council Opts for Plan to Build Pools as Part of Community Center

CARY , NC –In a work session earlier today, the Cary Town Council voted to drop the idea of a regional competitive swim center and instead directed Town staff to meet with the top three design firms to study locating an aquatics facility as part of a new community center slated for northern or western Cary.  The Council changed course from its November decision over concerns that the required private sector match was unlikely to come through in a timely manner. The Council also mentioned the fact that a facility pool is already being built in Cary as a reason for their decision.

The revised, $23.8 million community center scope —which includes a $13.5 million base community center, $4.3 million outdoor aquatics facility, and $6 million recreation component—will offer one outdoor recreation pool with waterplay features and two indoor pools:  an indoor recreation pool and a 25 yard, eight-lane pool.  For the study of the combined package and revised scope, Council asked staff to focus on the Town’s existing North Cary and Hawes tract sites as  prospective locations. The Town plans to use a combination of cash and general obligation bond funding authority to pay for the community aquatics center.

With today’s Council decision, Town staff will make the necessary adjustments to the design phase of the project, with the goal of continuing to have the facility open in late 2009.

“The community center option will work well in serving the needs and interests of Cary citizens,” said Parks Recreation, and Cultural Resources Director Mary Henderson.  “We’re excited about continuing to move ahead with this new programming area.”

Updated information about the project, including opportunities for public involvement, will be available at www.townofcary.org.

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