St. Cloud City Council Express Support, Concerns for Initial Aquatic Center Designs

ST. CLOUD - More details are emerging about what will most-likely be included in the Aquatic and Community Center in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud City Council discussed the designs during this (Monday) evening's Study Session.

Besides a family pool and a lap pool, and three basketball courts, other amenities include: a walking/running track, a climbing wall, racquet ball courts, a kids zone with a 1 1/2 story play structure for birthday parties, and an intergenerational center. CentraCare is providing $4 million and entering into a partnering with the Y to build a Bariatric Care Clinic in the facility. The preliminary designs also have a lot of glass, overlooking Whitney park. An outdoor swimming area could be added later, but it's not part of the initial project.

Some St. Cloud City Council members expressed concerns. Dave Masters says there isn't enough emphasis on the swimming part of the facility. Carol Lewis says she's not seeing the "wow" factor. George Hontos has concerns that St. Cloud residents will be charged the same fees as the people who come from other surrounding cities, even though St. Cloud is bearing the cost to maintain the building.

So far $9.6 million has been raised from the private sector, in addition to the $14 million dedicated from the half-cent sales tax.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis says the hope is to have the 100,000-square foot Aquatic And Community Center open by 2016. The $27 million facility, to be built at Whitney Park, is a partnership between the city of St. Cloud and the YMCA.