When Christiansburg residents originally reported wanting a swimming
pool (approximately $4,000,000.00 in cost), very few of them ever
envisioned the rather ... uh ... large structure (approximately
$20,000,000.00 in cost) that it would become. I have heard from a lot of
people asking me how this could have happened without them knowing
anything about it. Here's how:
The first mention of an 'aquatic center came from the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Master Plan Revised
August 2000 (page 6) ((this is also known as the 10-Year Plan) where
it is noted that "A study should be conducted to determine if it is
feasible for an aquatic center with additional weight/fitness rooms and
racquetball courts to be constructed as part of the Recreation Center
complex.
On page 43 of that same document, it is noted that an alternative
site is available. Following that on page 60 is a cost estimate of that
aquatic center of $3,875,000.00 (TOTAL, as in for design/engineering,
construction, parking, and land acquisition) at the current Recreation
Dept. site or $3,925,000.00 at the alternate location.
At the November 20, 2001 Town Council Meeting the first Committee was
developed to Begin Planning for a Future Municipal Swimming Pool.
Following this, on July 2, 2002, it is noted that a site was determined
following the Town Manager's review of possible sites. The current
location was chosen to be voted upon by Town Council.
When Council voted on that location (current location) on July 16,
2002, the Council voted: Council voted as follows: AYES: Ashworth,
Ballengee, Barber, Carter, and Weaver. NAYS: None.” As on the May 6,
2003 Town Council Meeting it was still referred to as "A POOL". And on
August 19, 2003 it was reported that: Concerning the aquatic center,
requests for proposals have been sent to architectural firms as far away
as Richmond. The proposal was written as a “wish list” for the center,
and the Town will scale down from there. Plans are to spend this year
designing the facility, with groundbreaking this time next year. Some
funding has been set aside for architectural work and construction. The
balance will be financed.
At the April 6, 2004 Town Council Meeting and Ad Hoc Committee for
the Future Aquatic Center was formed by then Mayor Linkous to be
comprised of: Lance Terpenny (Town Manager), Barry Helms (Assistant Town
Manager), Jim Williams (Recreation Advisory Commission), Ann Carter
(Councilwoman), Art Price (Parks and Recreation Director), Ernie Wade
(Planning Commissioner), and Bill Beecher (aquatic facilities manager)
September 21, 2004 Town Council Meeting minutes show that the general
concept still remained a pool, but it slowly began to morph as Town
Manager Terpenny advised he was trying to get enough information
together to bring to Council regarding the size of the pool (note the
singular form rather than pools). He further noted that the decision is
between a fifty meter pool or a twenty-five meter pool. Mr. Terpenny
stated that he believes many swimmers will use the pool if it is a
fifty-meter pool and he plans to approach Virginia Tech and Radford
University usage of the pool. He also added that he hopes to have an
economic package put together for Council by the October 19th meeting.
At the October 19, 2004 Town Council Meeting minutes you will find
the following: Regarding the Aquatic Center, "Town Manager Terpenny
requested that the Finance Committee (Councilman Lester &
Councilwoman Carter) allow fundraising projects to raise additional
funds for a fifty-meter competition pool. Radford University and
Virginia Tech are interested in utilizing the pool if it is a
fifty-meter pool. This could mean substantial revenue for the Town. The
difference in the twenty-five meter pool and fifty-meter pool is
approximately 2.5 million dollars. Mayor Linkous commented that plans
are to move forward with the construction of a fifty-meter pool while
contributions are being sought."
AHA! Now, we've gone from a roughly $4,000,000.00 pool with amenities
to a roughly $6,500,000.00 pool with no mention of amenities. And, we
now have it on good authority that the Town Manager BELIEVES more people
would use the pool at fifty-meters and that both Radford University and
Virginia Tech are interested in utilizing the pool if it is
fifty-meters. (While it is noted this could mean substantial revenue for
the Town, no mention is made of the restricted access that would happen
if both of those groups chose to utilize the venue.)
Something miraculous occurred between October 19th, 2004 and December
7, 2004 Town Council Meetings, as a Public Hearing has held on 12/7/04
for the Aquatic Center Bond of $13,000,000.00. Somehow, the price simply
doubled. the full context of that entry also notes that: Manager
Terpenny said approximately forty to sixty percent (40% to 60%) of
operating expenses will be recouped through membership fees, meets, and
practices. The bond will allow construction of the project as well as
completion of the Harkrader Ball Complex. Between now and March, fund
drives will be held with area industries to raise the cost difference
between a twenty-five meter pool and a fifty meter pool. A fifty-meter
pool will house meets and tryouts, which will bring large numbers of
people to the area. Mayor Linkous said there will also be a therapeutic
pool, and letters of inquiry will be sent to Montgomery Regional
Hospital and Carilion New River Valley Medical Center concerning
interest in use of the therapeutic pool. A leisure pool is also planned.
(There is nothing to indicate where this major shift was discussed by
Town Council. The Ad Hoc Committee is not required to maintain minutes
so it is not possible to verify what discussions transpired during those
meetings.)
At this point we have a $13,000,000.00 price tag, with hopes of
recouping 40% - 60% of operating expenses coming from membership fees
(to citizens), meets, and practices (with meets and practices being from
Radford & Virginia Tech? Nothing else is mentioned concerning usage
of the pool. There is still no mention on the hours citizens will be
restricted from the facility due to any of these meets or practices, and
it has suddenly become 3 pools total).
On January 17, 2006 the Town Manager reported that he met with Jim
Guynn, Lionberger Construction, and Architect Glenn Reynolds regarding a
possible public/private partnership in constructing the aquatic center.
In partnership, Lionberger Construction could build the aquatic center
upon completion the Town could purchase the aquatic center from
Lionberger at a predetermined cost.
On March 21, 2006, Manager Terpenny reported to the Town Council
that: he met with Jim Guynn, Lionberger Construction, and Architect
Glenn Reynolds to further discuss the possibility of forming a
public;private partnership in constructing the aquatic center. Mr.
Reynolds is working on the drawings as the public/private partnership
process begins. Grading plans are complete and grading is ready to
begin.
On June 20, 2006, the Town Manager noted that the facility was not
quite to ACC guidelines and and additional $2,000,000.00 would be needed
to meet those standards.
At the July 18, 2006 Town Council Meeting: AQUATIC CENTER UPDATE –
Town Manager Terpenny reported that the construction documents for the
aquatic center are currently being drawn up. The contract between
Virginia Tech and Christiansburg, outlining details and usage, is also
currently being drafted for Virginia Tech’s review. The Town has
received a verbal agreement from Virginia Tech for funding.
Gosh, this thing is really rolling along now.
On September 19, 2006: Town Manager reported that the Town received
an unsolicited proposal from a contractor interested in building
the aquatic center. The Town will advertise this bid for forty-five days
and at the end of that time will choose from the bids received.
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Today, we have a facility that is almost 5 times that original
$4,000,000.00 estimate (actually more than that if you count reportedly
'donated' items and all of the man hours, equipment, and materials
provided by the Town via your tax money contribution).
Upon further review of the minutes of Town Council and Planning
Commission Meetings, I found the following: (for a full summary of the
Meetings where the Aquatic Center was discussed, based upon the
documents provided to me by the Town of Christiansburg on a FOIA request
go to "Aquatic Center" on MyVAResources.com/blogs/depotdazed)
December 5, 2006: Town Council: “AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO
EXECUTE AN INTERIM AGREEMENT WITH LIONBERGER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF AQUATIC CENTER. Town Manager Terpenny reported that, as
part of the public/private partnership under Virginia Procurement Code,
the Town has accepted a proposal by Lionberger Construction Company to
build the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. The Town can not negotiate the
expansion of the aquatic center until an interim agreement has been
signed and approved. The expansion is a result of changes made by
Virginia Tech. Town Attorney, Jim Guynn, has drawn up the interim
agreement and has discussed it with Lionberger Construction Company’s
attorney. Construction can begin once the agreement is signed and
approved. Councilman Barber made a motion to approve the request,
seconded by Councilwoman Carter. Council voted on the motion as
follows: AYES: Barber, Canada, Carter, Huppert, Stipes, and Wade. NAYS:
None.” … “3. Right-of-way plat for Mill Lane improvements. Councilman
Barber explained that this request is to widen and increase the
right-of-way of Mill Lane, which is the access road to the
Christiansburg Aquatic Center. The changes will improve the site line
when entering and exiting Mill Lane. Mill Lane, a through street, will
also serve the Christiansburg Skatepark. All is in order, and Councilman
Barber made a motion to approve the plat, seconded by Councilman Wade.
Council voted on the motion as follows: AYES: Barber, Canada, Carter,
Huppert, Stipes, and Wade. NAYS: None.” … “AQUATIC CENTER UPDATE – Town
Manager Terpenny reported that he plans to meet with the architect this
week to review the final drawings before submittal. The aquatic center
committee will make a presentation to Town Council in the near future.”
Now, if you want to know who knew about this 'growth' of a swimming
pool in to an 'Aquatic Center', simply look at the names included within
these minutes and see what committees were involved and who served on
them, as well as, who voted how. This is only a small portion of all the
data that I found in the Minutes. Please feel free to look at the
entire document, and then go to the actual Meeting Minutes themselves
for further information. (Town Council Meeting Minutes from 2001 through 2009
scroll down the page: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from 2002 through
2009 - many of these remain missing -scroll down the page: Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Revised August 2000:
or, check out some of the other topics that I was able to research thanks to FOIA
-Freedom of Information Act - some of these are still being
developed, but I promise you there is some very interesting information
to be found on them.)