Pool construction planned for May 19

By DOUGLAS BURNS
Staff Writer

Carroll City Council members Monday reviewed developing plans for the Carroll Family Aquatic Center, including a timetable that lists a May 19 construction start and an opening for the same month in 2009.

Meanwhile, Parks and Recreation director Jack Wardell noted that earlier Monday pool advocates asked the Board of Supervisors for $50,000 - a local contribution essential for the application for $280,000 from the state's Vision Iowa program.

"The supervisors are going to be waiting for phone calls," said Mayor Jim Pedelty. "If you know anybody who is going to be in favor of this request, maybe we could call them."

During the review process some concerns and suggestions emerged about the pool.

Councilman Phil Phillips wanted to make sure fencing was adequate to prevent people from breaking into the site in the winter and using the speed slides - signature elements that will stand 42 feet tell and run 114 feet.

The city's pool architects, Wisconsin-based Burbach Aquatics, is working with Pedelty's idea to use the basement of a bathhouse as storage space and possibly a storm shelter.

That could be bid as an alternate.

A lazy river and parking lot are not included in the current pool plan, which council members have directed Burbach to keep under $4.125 million.

But a parking a lot is expected to be developed separately and likely in time for the pool opening, City Manager Gerald Clausen said.

The pool is being built northeast of Des Moines Area Community College.

Some current economic negatives nationally could make contractors more "hungry" for work and yield better bids, observed Councilman Jeff Scharfenkamp.

Burbach reports strong interest in the Carroll project already.