Survey guides aquatic center design

The above computer-generated aquatic center design, if constructed, would be located in Fisher Park, on the site where the current municipal swimming pool is now located. In this image, east is at the top, north is at the left, west is at the bottom, and south is at the right. The interior portion of the facility is in the rectangular area and includes the competition pool with racing lanes and bleachers, a leisure pool and a therapy pool. The outdoor portion of the facility includes a large family pool and a diving pool, including water park features. The current stone terraces for sunbathing and spectators can be seen at the south end. Another set of original stone terraces is shown at the northeast corner of the aquatic center site. Paler water areas indicate roll-in or walk-in descent features. Submitted image

Numerous factors were considered when deciding on the design and location of the proposed $6.5 million aquatic center, Aquatic Center Vision Committee Co-convener Dave Martin said.

Martin said one the major factors when coming up with the design of the facility was the response the committee received from the public opinion surveys that were sent out earlier this year. Martin said the proposed indoor/outdoor aquatic center was the most heavily supported idea, according to the surveys.

"Basically, what we've got is what the people said they wanted in the surveys we did receive back," Martin said. "That's our major focus."

According to information provided to The Fort Scott Tribune, of all the survey respondents, 77 percent of the surveys that responded to the design category "indicated some anticipated use of a combination facility."

Also, 53 percent of the total surveys returned indicated the same. An indoor pool was the second most supported facility, showing some intent for use from 72 percent of responses to this category and 49 percent of the total surveys returned. An outdoor pool followed at 65 percent of category responses and 39 percent from all the surveys returned.

Martin said an indoor/outdoor facility provides more additional options than are available with just an outdoor pool or an indoor pool. One major advantage, he said, is the possibility of having the indoor portion of the facility open year round. He added that the indoor facility, which will feature a therapy pool, would be beneficial to senior citizens who usually don't visit outdoor swimming pools. Martin said the indoor facility would also feature competition lanes, which would benefit competitive swimmers of all ages.

Martin said the outdoor portion would include a variety of features that are both designed for entertainment and safety, which would give area youth a place to have fun in the sun without being at a major risk for injury.

"This facility was designed for all ages and for all people to utilize and enjoy," Martin said.

Local residents will find the chosen location for the proposed aquatic center convenient, as it would be constructed at the same site as the current municipal swimming pool in Fisher Park. Martin said building the aquatic center at the same location as the current pool is beneficial for local residents for various reasons, such as familiarity with the neighbordhood and the streets leading to the pool. For example, Martin said, many children ride their bikes to the pool, and they understand and can anticipate the amount of traffic on the streets around the pool during the summer. Other reasons for the chosen location involve its close proximity to Buck Run Community Center and that it doesn't take away from the downtown area.

Kansas City, Mo.-based Larkin Aquatics has been the planning and design company in charge of the proposed aquatic center.

On June 5, Fort Scott residents will vote in a special election to determine whether their sales tax will be increased 1 percent over 10 years to fund the proposed water park.

The following are statistics for the proposed aquatic center:

* The indoor facility will feature a 1,348-square-foot leisure pool, a 696-square-foot therapy pool, a 4,427-square-foot racing lane area. The total water surface will be 6,471-square-feet and the total deck area will be 7,002-square-feet. The total patron load will be 431, with a total bleacher load of 414.

* The outdoor facility will feature a 4,713-square-foot outdoor family pool, with a 1,738-square-foot diving/plunge pool. The total water surface area will total 6,451-square-feet and the total deck area will total 9,334-square-feet. The total patron load will be 314.