Urbana Park District Wants The Public’s Input On New Pool Designs

The Urbana Park District and the public will spend the next few months poring over three separate proposals for a new outdoor pool.

A team of consultants is putting together those three plans, along with what it would cost to build and operate each of them. Park District Executive Director Vicki Mayes says public input has already been a large part of replacing Crystal Lake Pool. She says the park district will soon be taking comments on these three proposals on line ,and through its 'neighborhood nights' events held around town this summer. Mayes says the goal of a new pool is making it unique to Urbana, striking a balance for its younger and older users. "Features that attract and are really positive for families who have children," said Mayes. "And also to hold onto those folks that are core users, which are fitness swimmers, swim lessons. It will be some combination of traditional pool elements - definitely a zero depth, which is an easy entry element."

Mayes says amenities like the 'lazy river' found at Champaign's Sholem Aquatic Center are likely too expensive for a new Urbana pool. Building a new pool will require a tax referendum, but Mayes says it's too early to say whether that will happen next spring when factoring in the economy. She says the district may also consider building the pool in different phases. At Tuesday's Park District Board study session, the board will ask consultants to come up with those three designs, a rough idea of their cost, as well as possible fee structures for pool admission. Urbana has been without a public outdoor pool since Crystal Lake Pool closed in 2008 due to electrical problems. The Park District hopes to have a new one built by late 2012 or early 2013.