Aquatic Center Feasibility Study Progresses

By Ted Cox
tcox@garrardcentralrecord.com

A public forum held to discuss a $10,500 investment in the feasibility study for a possible aquatic center in Lancaster took place on Tuesday night in city-council chambers.

With the lack of local recreational activities, an area of concern for many officials and their constituents, Brandstetter Carroll, the same company that is designing the new judicial center, was asked to present information about their work in the area of recreational facilities.

The study, upon completion, will include a demographic-market analysis, site analysis of up to three possible locations, programming and a recommended design based on the estimated user capacity and a financial scope of possible fees for admissions, concessions and group sales, management and staff requirements, all operating expenses and alternative income and cost scenarios.

Monica Sumner, of Brandstetter Carroll, explained that public feedback is only one part of their overall data collection process.

Formulas and experience makes for an accurate reading of what a community can expect from the park projected feasible by the design firm.

Four possible sites were discussed for the water park; the empty lot across from McDonald’s on Lexington Road, the old stockyards, the old Safeguard site and the empty lot at the end of Myers Court.

Sumner said that 2.5 acre range would be adequate, though five acres would allow for a possible expansion and other activities in the future.

Each site is evaluated based on typography, utilities, cost of utilities and the locality of schools, neighborhoods and vehicular routes.

A demographic analysis will be used to determine peak hour use for the park.

“At 2 p.m. on a Saturday we want to be able to tell you how many folks we can get in that gate,” Sumner said.

That number turned out to be estimated at around 252 people on a Saturday at peak hours.

With an estimated 283 people per day possibly visiting the park multiplied by 90 days of operation, an estimated 25,470 tickets for admission could be sold annually, based on projections.

Numerous activities including waterslides, spray grounds, activity and competition pools, lazy rivers and a multitude of theme options that fit local communities were discussed as options to be included in the finished product. Zero-depth pool entries similar to a beach were discussed in length as they become especially popular for the very young and the elderly.

If the study is favorable and a determination is made to move forward soon, then the possibility of obtaining state funds is also better.

Paradise Cove Family Aquatic Center in Richmond estimated 900 to 1,000 users during peak attendance. The center there which opened in 2008 has blown those figures out of the water, so to speak, with average attendance reported as 1,300 a day. The total cost of the project, including future phases, is $5.2 million.

Jessamine County Aquatic Center in Nicholasville has also exceeded its expectations and is in the process of raising funds for an indoor aquatic center that will be owned and operated by the YMCA.

Lancaster’s possible water park could include a lazy river, wave pool, spray grounds, pavilion for parties and rentals, zero-depth entry, a walking trail, sand volleyball, water sides, playgrounds, vortex – sensory area, summer movie night and other organized family events, a dog park and sports such as basketball.

Projections for what is currently in the planning could take up to 105,600 square feet, which would just fir in a 2.5 acre lot, though more empty space is needed for expansion.

Brandstetter Carroll is well known for its aquatic center designs and in fact stands out as a recreational design firm with centers in seven states now and a record of 60 years in business.