What could Waukee's aquatic center look like? New preliminary designs released

Waukee residents are getting a first look at ideas for what a possible outdoor public aquatic center could look like.

A consultant presented two concepts to the public Wednesday at City Hall so residents can weigh in on what they'd like to see should Waukee move forward with the project. Both designs were based on past public responses from a survey, focus groups and a public meeting.

Waukee City Council has hired the consultant to study the scope, cost and level of public support for the project before moving forward with official plans. Waters Edge Aquatic Design presented the design plans as part of its study.

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Common features between the two designs include a lazy river that runs around a deep-water diving pool, rentable seating areas for parties, a concessions area, pools or splash areas of different depths, and waterslides of different heights. The differences in design mostly came down to size and layout.

Waukee City Council member Chris Crone said she wants to find a design that would set apart what could be the first public aquatic center in Waukee from others in West Des Moines, Clive and other areas of the metro.

"What we have to do is find something unique," Crone said.

Meanwhile, Waukee also has identified a potential site for the aquatic center — the southeast corner of the intersection of 11th Street and University Avenue, which is west of Sugar Creek Golf Course and Waukee Public Works.

The consultant is expected to release its findings in late summer. If the council approves moving forward, a ballot referendum to pay for the aquatics center would be on the ballot in November.

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Waukee residents last voted on an aquatic center referendum in 2010. Just more than 50% of voters approved a proposed $7.9 million public pool facility that would have included a walking track and large, open green space. That referendum needed 60% approval in order to pass.

A public survey conducted last fall found 85% of the nearly 1,200 Waukee residents who responded were in support of developing an outdoor aquatic center. Another 500 people from across the metro participated in the survey, according to Waters Edge.

The most-desired features included a lazy river, waterslides and toddler-friendly features. In terms of programming, people most sought recreational swimming and swim lessons.

More information about the project and future public feedback opportunities is available at watersedge.mysocialpinpoint.com/waukeepool/study.

Phillip Sitter focuses for the Des Moines Register on reporting on suburban growth and development in the western metro areas. Phillip can be reached via email at [email protected]. He is on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New aquatic center designs presented at Waukee City Council meeting