02 Council Minutes (08/13/01) - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting August 13, 2001 Page 5 Mr. Dockery said their goal is to build an indoor Aquatic Center within the confines of the new Sports Complex behind the Civic Center. Mr. Dockery said there is a$750,000.00 matching indoor facility grant available through the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and his group is now in the process of raising private funds in order to help the project. He said they were currently meeting with various pool architects to develop a concept of this facility and their goal is that the City of Paris will contribute funds to help them acquire these needed concept drawings. Mr. Dockery advised that it will cost $7,000.00 for them to acquire these drawings and stressed the need for the drawings to help with their fund raising efforts. Mr. Dockery estimated the cost for the pool to be one and one-half million dollars, which would depend on the size of the pooL Mr. Dockery advised that the City of Greenville is in the process of building an Aquatic Complex similar to the one they are proposing and their Economic Development Corporation is working with them on their pool. Mayor Pfiester requested that the people in the audience who were present in support of the Aquatic Complex to stand. Lisa McAlister, Manager of the City of Paris Aquatic Center, came forward speaking in favor of the Aquatic Complex. Ms. McAlister pointed out that the kids from the Boy's Club and PAL use the city's pool. She told the City Council that schools in Lamar County would use this facility as it could be used for competitive swimming along with recreational use. City Manager Malone explained that the city has engaged the services of Mark Spencer to come up with a plan for the Sports Complex, and that a natatorium would be included in the planning for the second phase. He said the city has had meetings with Mr. Spencer and felt that it is appropriate to work with him and the city staff to select the person to do the drawings. City Manager Malone said he did not think that there should be several consultants fighting on this proj ect.