Polk City aquatic center plans gain steam

Polk City is considering a $10 million plan to build an aquatic center and add sports fields in the city.

The two-pronged project would include building an aquatic center and soccer fields east of the Tournament Club of Iowa on donated land and adding baseball and softball fields at the Polk City Sports Complex, 1499 W. Bridge Road.

Officials have long discussed the need for additional fields as participation in youth sports programs continues to grow.

The Polk City Development Corporation is working with those athletic programs and others through a grassroots committee.

John Calhoun, executive director of the development corporation, addressed the City Council on Monday night about the group’s plans.

“We have awfully solid plans to show you,” Calhoun told the council. “I hope we can have a vote (by the taxpayers) Aug. 4.”

The plan would require approval of a bond referendum.

Polk City voters rejected a $4 million plan to expand the sports complex in 2011 with 59 percent voting against the proposal. That proposal did not include an aquatic center.

The exact number for the referendum has not yet been finalized. The City Council is expected to consider the topic at an April 13 meeting.

The projects call for an additional $623,000 to come from grants and in-kind donations. But Calhoun said organizers hope to secure about $1.5 million in grants, which would reduce the cost to taxpayers.

Discussion Monday night centered on whether the facilities should include paved parking lots or gravel.

A consulting firm estimated the cost for the aquatic center and soccer fields would be $8.9 million with a gravel parking lot. Paving the parking lot would cost another $978,280.

With parking the cost for an expanded sports complex is estimated at $978,280.

Council members differed on which approach the city should take.

Councilman Robert Sarchet pointed out that Ankeny chose to pave parking at a later date when that city built a similar facility.

“We would get more support (for) our sports complex,” Councilman Ron Anderson said. “It’s a big safety hazard out there now, and that has been one of our priorities.”

Rob Mordini pointed out that the city requires paved parking for new businesses. “We should expect the same for ourselves.”

Knapp Properties has offered to donate 28.5 acres for the aquatic center and soccer fields near its Big Creek Technology Campus on East Vista Lake Drive north of the town square along North Third Street.

The city has $1 million in its capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2015 to extend East Vista Lake Drive with utilities. That would provide access to the aquatic center site.

“This is going to take a team effort,” City Administrator Gary Anderson said. “I’m feeling a lot more confident about it.”