As the Carroll Rec Center continues developing needs and wants and an initial rough design for improvements that will potentially go to a public vote in November, they are also working to keep residents up-to-date. Parks and Rec Director, Jack Wardell, says they have been holding committee meetings and have scheduled focus groups and a public town hall next week as a part of the process. The initial estimate the city has developed is $9.5 million, but Wardell wants to remind voters that, as with all recent referendum votes, that number is what is believed to be the maximum needed. The actual numbers are not developed until voters have given a project the green light. Wardell says they are partnering with RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines to evaluate missing elements as the needs of the community have changed since 1977.
Plans also address an update for handicap access.
Wardell says their hope is to offer an additional two lanes for the swim teams. They are planning to add about another 50 percent of the current square footage to the gymnasium to help accommodate volleyball, basketball, pickleball, indoor soccer and other activities, along with the possibility of adding an indoor batting cage. One of the other exciting elements considered is an elevated walking track.
They propose moving the control desk from the center of the building to the front to greet users first thing and renovations to the locker rooms. Wardell also says that he is pleased that the Carroll City Council finds the project so important that they have already allocated $1 million in funding. Next Wednesday, July 17, the majority of the day will be spent on the project with committee meetings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by focus groups with the community’s schools, youth sports organizations and service clubs from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The public is then invited to see the phase one spaces, the initial floor plan and exterior renderings from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the activity room. Wardell says ideally, they will have so many people interested in learning more that they will be there until 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Those unable to attend will later have access to the plans posted online at the city’s website, on the Rec Center’s page and on their Facebook page as well as with the follow-up stories on our website. Anyone with questions can contact Wardell at 792-1000.
