ST. ROBERT— A planned aquatics facility and new community center is no longer homeless now that the St. Robert Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a location at its meeting Tuesday.
Based on a Parks Committee recommendation, the pool and community building will be constructed near the main city park, off of Old Route 66. The specific site, called Site 1, is a large empty lot where people often park for the county fair.
Several sites were considered including an area near the Municipal Center, a spot in the Woodland Hills development and a location along the East Ridge. After visiting each site with architects and engineers, the committee decided the best, and most cost-effective location, would be Site 1.
Construction is expected to begin in October, and is estimated at $3.8 million. Some additional costs to locate the facilities in the selected site will be accrued, and include placing in a sewage pump station and a possible retaining wall.
City Administrator Alan Clark told the board it’s possible that no retaining wall, or a smaller one, will be needed, since preliminary plans were based on older topographical maps. An alteration in the building’s orientation may also reduce the need for a retaining wall and increase the number of available parking spots.
Alderman Ralph Cook brought up some concerns about the location he’s heard from members of the community, including its distance from the city’s Waste Transfer Station. People have asked, he said, if the city has considered the truck traffic on J.H. Williamson and the smell.
“One of the things I’m working on... is relocating the transfer station,” Clark responded. “Safety is paramount.”
If the transfer station is relocated, it’s possible that facility could become the new Parks Department home, Clark said.
The next step involves financing, and local banks have stepped up to the plate to purchase bond notes. Doing so not only keeps the money circulating locally, but will also save the city about $100,000 in costs.
“The priority for the finances is going to be with the local banks,” City Attorney Kevin Hillman said.
The city will be bonding $4.5 million, with the additional monies supporting other park improvements. The ¼ cent parks sales tax, which residents passed Aug. 4, is expected to bring in $530,000 annually. Bond payments on a $4.5 million issue would be about $430,000 a year.
In a meeting with bond counsel and investment bankers, it was suggested if there are other projects the city would like to get done, now would be the time to borrow the money, as rates are low and are likely to increase in the future.
Hillman said the city was advised to “Borrow as much as you can now, based on the projected sales tax, because you will never have a better time to do it than now.”
The added bond monies will mean the city can add a marquee sign to the city park, finish the parking lot and access road to the main city park, add an outdoor restroom facility to the main city park, create a driving range or chip and putt course, and add playground equipment.
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