Carroll Rec Center staff, city officials and representatives from RDG Planning and Design, Water’s Edge, ETC and Ballard King hosted focus groups and a town hall meeting yesterday (Wednesday) to unveil the initial designs for proposed improvements and renovations to the aging building. Parks and Recreation Director, Jack Wardell, briefly explained what their plan entails and what they hope to accomplish with the updates.
Current plans are to construct a new gymnasium to the east of the existing two and expand the pool area to the south, which would include a connected enclosure with a splash pad for young children, spaces for exercise and additional lap lanes. The project would also incorporate an elevated walking/jogging track in the gym areas and renovate the locker rooms. The price tag for these updates is estimated to fall between $8 million and $12 million. According to City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver, the project would only have a minor tax impact on homeowners if approved.
The general consensus from those in attendance was that amount would be acceptable to voters. Cindy Duhrkopf, a Carroll resident, said this project would mark off the final item on her checklist of amenities she thought were lacking when she moved to town 20 years ago.
Another Carroll resident, Pat Hartley, said it is too early for her to put support behind the proposal, but she believes many voters would be receptive to the renovations.
Wardell stressed the plans presented Wednesday are still very early ideas and may undergo some changes as they move closer to a planned November referendum. He explained what is next for the project
Renderings of the proposed additions and renovations can be found included with this story on our website.
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