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Date: March 12, 2007
To: Parks and Recreation Board Members
From: Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation
Subject: Drake Springs Pool Q & A – Updated March 12, 2007
This memo is in response to requests from board members for a question and answer document to help members assist the general public in understanding the details of what is currently proposed in the 2007-2011 Capital Improvements Program to replace Drake Springs Pool.
- Question: What is the current proposal to replace Drake Springs Pool?
Answer: The proposal that has been approved in the City of Sioux Falls 2007-2011 Capital Improvements Program (five-year CIP) is an Indoor Family Aquatic Center consisting of a zero-depth leisure pool, current channel, interactive play features, and a separate four-lane fitness/teaching pool. Demolition and restoration of the existing pool area back into park land is also part of the project.
- Question: How much is the facility projected to cost?
Answer: The facility is currently budgeted at $11,248,776 in the five-year CIP.
- Question: Will this facility result in a tax increase to Sioux Falls residents?
Answer: No. The facility is programmed in the five-year CIP to be funded through the sale of bonds that will be repaid with sales tax revenue collected at the existing rate. Taxes will not be increased as a result of this project.
- Question: Have other projects been funded in this same manner?
Answer: In 1999, several “quality of life” projects were funded through this same method. The total amount of the projects was $9.34 million and included projects at Sioux Falls Stadium, Falls Park, Great Bear, and the Great Plains Zoo. The bonds were paid back with sales tax revenue by 2006.
- Question: Do the other pool owners in the Sioux Falls area support or oppose the construction of a new indoor pool?
Answer: We met with all of the Sioux Falls pool owners and found that they all support the proposed construction of an indoor pool. Those entities include the YMCA, YWCA, Wild Water West, Sioux Empire Fitness, Sioux Valley Wellness Center, Avera McKennan Fitness Center, Augustana College, and the School for the Deaf. In summary, the indoor pool owners did not see the proposed facility as competition and in some cases they felt that a new public indoor pool would relieve some pressures from the general public for use of their pool. There were concerns from the one outdoor pool owner if we were to build an outdoor pool. They do see a new outdoor pool as competition.
- Question: Will the swim teams use this facility? If so, will their use restrict use of the facility by the neighborhood and general public?
Answer: It is currently unknown whether or not the competitive swim teams in Sioux Falls will be interested in using the facility as it is currently proposed. The swim teams for over 20 years have used Frank Olson, Spellerberg, and Kuehn pools daily throughout the summer for practices. They also hold an Invitational swim meet once a year and every four years they host a statewide swim meet at Frank Olson Pool. Historically, swim team practices are scheduled before and after the general public open swimming times. One swim meet each summer does currently close Frank Olson Pool for one Saturday in July. All other swim team use does not restrict public access to the pool. As designed, the pool has two separate pools. One pool is the leisure pool designed for general public family use and the other side is the fitness/teaching pool. The leisure pool will be open at all times for general public use and any swim team use, should it occur, would be during times that minimize impacts to the general public.
- Question: Will there be competitive swim meets held at this facility?
Answer: Not as currently designed. The proposed Indoor Family Aquatic Center is not designed to host competitive swim meets. Competitive swim meets require at least 6 lanes that are 25 yards in length with 8 lanes, 25 yards being the most desirable design to attract state swim meets. The current facility design provides only 4 lanes that are 25 yards in length.
- Question: Where will the new pool be constructed and what happens to the existing pool site?
Answer: The new pool would be located across the street from the existing pool site. A different location in Nelson Park was chosen due to the unstable soils and the high water table at the current site. The existing pool site would be turned into green space for general park use after the existing pool is removed. The new pool is expected to use approximately 1 additional acre of park land in Nelson Park, which consists of 38 acres.
- Question: What is the capacity of the proposed pool?
Answer: The maximum facility capacity of the pool (all at the same time) is 660 people. The daily holding capacity (throughout the day) is projected to be 1,650 based on a 2.5 turnover rate.
- Question: How many days will the pool be open each year and how many days is the existing pool open each year?
Answer: As envisioned, the pool would be open approximately 360 days per year. The number of days of operation may vary slightly based on demand. Drake Springs Pool was open 76 days in 2006.
- Question: What will the hours of operation be for the pool?
Answer: Initially we would plan to open the pool at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday we would plan to be open from 1 to 9 p.m. Hours of operation may vary slightly based on demand.
- Question: What is the schedule for construction of this facility?
Answer: Design—2007, Construction—2008, Open Facility—2009
- Question: How much does the current facility cost to operate and what will the new facility cost to operate?
Answer: The net operational cost of the current facility is approximately $100,000. The net operational cost to operate the proposed facility is projected to be $380,000.
- Question: Will the fees charged to use the pool restrict access to those who are low to moderate income?
Answer: The goal is to not restrict access based on ability to pay. The pool fees as proposed are the same as they currently are for Terrace and Laurel Oak pools. General admission prices are $2 for children and $3 for adults. A summer pass for a child is $10. The cost will remain the same per season of use. Summer, fall, winter, and spring would cost a child $40 for the entire year. Family passes would remain at $50 per season or $200 for the entire year. Individual adult passes would remain at $30 per season or $120 per year. The reduced family/individual pass rates of $25/$15 respectively per season for qualifying families and individuals would remain in place. A new option available in 2007 is a free season pass for families who are residents of Sioux Falls with a Dakota EBT Card (Food Stamp card). (Pool fees are subject to City Council approval.) See Anticipated Fee Schedule document.
- Question: How many other South Dakota communities have city-supported indoor pools?
Answer: Ten—those communities are Belle Fourche, McLaughlin, Deadwood, Mitchell, Sturgis, Pierre, Rapid City, Yankton, Madison, and Watertown.
- Question: How many people currently use the five community centers on an annual basis and what types of programs and activities make up those attendance figures?
Answer: The 2006 total attendance at our five community centers was 244,000. The activities include open gym—weekday and weekend, volleyball leagues, basketball leagues, computer labs, game room, play groups, weekday programs for youth, recreation and leisure classes, camps and clinics for all ages, and meeting space for groups and family gatherings.
- Question: Is the proposed construction of an indoor pool in 2008 an indirect attempt to revitalize efforts to construct an indoor recreation center?
Answer: The need for this project is based on the structural and mechanical condition of Drake Springs Pool. The fact that an indoor pool is being proposed for its replacement is in response to citizen comments gained through neighborhood and public input meetings, and through the Parks and Recreation website survey.
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