COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – The College Station City Council has directed the Parks and Recreation Department to proceed with the second phase of a feasibility study for a possible recreation center.
After a presentation of the results of the first phase, city council members agreed to move forward with the project. No formal vote was held.
Although the city council has given the green light for the next step, that does not mean the city will begin construction anytime soon.
In phase two of the feasibility study, we will focus on space program options, potential locations, and rough cost estimates. Phase one of the study involved public feedback on amenities and a market analysis.
The data presented showed that the population has a strong desire for an indoor recreational area, such as an indoor swimming pool. At the meeting, council members asked several questions about what this might look like.
“Personally, I think the money could be better used to expand the recreation centers we already have and add programs there as needed,” said Councilman William Wright.
Some council members expressed concerns about the costs the project might entail.
“It’s going to be tens of millions of dollars, and then there are significant ongoing operating and maintenance costs. So that’s discretionary spending, and that’s what concerns me,” said Councilman Bob Yancy.
But even council members who had spoken out in favor of continuing the project said they wanted to close information gaps, for example regarding the use of existing facilities.
“What is the average daily occupancy of these pools? How many days have we had to turn people away because we were at capacity? Those answers would show very clearly whether we need this third pool,” said Council Member Elizabeth Cunha.
Building a recreation center is not a new topic. According to Yancy, efforts to build a recreation center have been underway for about a decade.
These efforts may have come one step closer to being realized.
“The next phase is looking at whether you can expand existing facilities somewhere. Partnering with other companies that could help design, utilize and finance some parts of that facility,” said Mayor John Nichols.
The study will not be conducted by the city itself. In October 2023, council members approved $180,768 for Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects to handle both phase one and phase two.
Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects is an architectural firm headquartered in Dallas.
The company did not conduct the part of the feasibility study that involved a public consultation. This was done by ETC as a sub-consultant.
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