Sunday, March 20, 2016

New Aquatics Center

Kim Smith
Springville- A new pool and an
activities center would give many
people in Springville a new place to
gather as a community. The
Springville swim team could have
better swimming lanes. The youth
could have a new places to do
activities. As of November 2015,
Springville will get the pool they have
wanted for years. But is the $11
million bond worth it to the residents?
Two of Springvilles residents tell us
why a new pool should or shouldnt be
built:
Resident Scott G. (name changed for
privacy) tells us why he voted no: I
voted no because I dont want our
taxes raised. I already pay a lot in
taxes. We dont need a new pool in
Springville, its a want. Yes, the
current pool is old, but why dont we
just fix it up? We dont need a whole
new facility.
Marcia B. explained to me why
Springville cant renovate or update
the current pool. Its just too small
for our growing community. In order
for the current pool to be maintained
or refurbished, it would require
builders to tear down the pool first.
That would leave almost 1,000 kids on
eight teams without a place to
practice. Updating the pool would also
leave over 3,000 kids without
swimming lessons, as well as the Utah
Counter water polo team.
Jason M., who is Springville City
Council member, thinks differently. He

is a supporter of the bond and used it

as part of his campaign and is excited
to be part of the project. I supported
the bond and I look forward to
completing the new aquatic center.
Beyond the current facility having
reached the end of its useful life and
the need for Springville-based
recreational opportunities.
Residents voted in November 2015 for
a new aquatics center to be built,
replacing the 35-year old pool. Now
residents are wanting to know how far
along the committee is in the planning
process and when the doors will open.
In 2011 the Aquatic Center Bond
failed, but with some revising and
lower prices the bond passed in 2015.
The bond comparison graph below
shows the difference between the
2011 bond and the 2015 bond:

The above graph show the price

difference per month residents will be
paying. The 2015 aquatics and
activities center is smaller than the
proposed 2011 recreation center and
will cost residents less to build and
operate. Springville residents will see
a tax increase over the next twenty
years for the new facility. Of the 5,000
ballots cast, 60% was in favor of the
new facility and 40% were still
opposed to it.
The plans for the aquatics center
include a multi-use pool, indoor leisure
pool, outdoor splash pad and an
indoor activities center. The activities
center will have an indoor track,
basketball courts, and exercise rooms.
The image below is a concept
drawings for the Aquatic Center, taken
from the Springville City website:

Mayor Wilford Clyde picked a 10member citizen committee to

participate in the planning process.
The committee will help architects
with the design of the center. The
committee includes a member of the
parks and recreation board, four
members from the original aquatic
center committee, two youth
members, and three other selected
citizens who showed a sincere interest
in the center and its planning.
The proposed plan is for an eight-acre
site, as to give room for potential
growth to the center. Construction
started in 2016 and as to when it will
open, Springvilles building and
grounds director says, We are
expecting to open the doors of the
new aquatic and activity center in
October or November of 2017.