News @ Noon: Aquatic Center Designs, Fundraising Moving Forward [AUDIO]

ST. CLOUD - We're about six months away from when supporters are hoping to break ground on the St. Cloud Aquatic and Community Center. However, the Executive Director of the St. Cloud YMCA Greg Gack says they won't start construction until all the money has been raised. He says they're working on a specific dollar figure for the project right now.

The rough estimate has been $27 million for the 100,000 square foot facility. So far about $23.5 million has been raised, $14 million from half-cent sales tax money, and the rest in private donations.

The basic designs for the planned St. Cloud Aquatic and Community Center were unveiled about a month ago. But, the specifics of what will be included in the facility are still being worked out. Gack says the water space in the facility will be bigger than what either Becker or Monticello have...

Gack says they need to design the two pool spaces so they can also function for physical therapy, fitness classes, swimming lessons, and more.

An outdoor water facility has always been in the plans for the St. Cloud Aquatic and Community Center. That's the message from Gack. He says its his intention to begin fundraising for the outdoor pool, as soon as the first phase is finished.

If ground is broken in late September, its estimated that the Aquatic and Community Center would be be open in November of 2016.

The YMCA is partnering with the city on the project with the Y running the day-to-day operations.