Lawrence Activity and Wellness Center Overview Where weve been - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department

Lawrence Activity and Wellness Center Overview

Where we’ve been

• Sales tax passed in 1994

to fund, in part, parks and recreation facilities and programming

• Major improvements

– Lawrence Aquatics Center – Softball and baseball – East Lawrence Center – Holcom Recreation Center

Where we’ve been

• Additions

– Prairie Park Nature Center – Eagle Bend – Bike paths – Trails – Indoor Aquatic Center

Where we are

• Last new recreation center, Holcom, was built

in 1988 – nearly 25 years ago

• Population has grown 32% - 29,000 people –

since that time

• Facilities shortage

– About 20 fewer gyms than needed for a community this size to meet programming needs

• In 2006, the PLAY study was commissioned by

the City of Lawrence, Lawrence School District, Douglas County and the Lawrence Chamber to identify recreation needs in the community

• Five Recommendations

– The construction of an indoor fieldhouse – A school district sports complex – Upgrades to the YSI complex – Upgrades to Free State High School – Upgrades to Lawrence High School

• The only need from that study not

yet addressed is the fieldhouse

• Gym space situation has worsened

since the study was completed.

– Have lost access to 6 ½ gyms and have reduced access to others

• Closing of Sport 2 Sport
• No access to Robinson Gymnasium at KU
• Conversion of small gym at East for

gymnastics

• Reduced access to school district facilities

– Increased enrollment in LPRD indoor programming

Where we’re going…

• Beyond the 2006 study, LPRD has

continued to seek public input regarding addressing this need

• In 2009, LPRD hosted public

meetings and conducted additional surveys, which garnered more than 1,000 responses

• Gym space was confirmed as the

City’s primary recreational need

We need gyms, but where?

Continuing progress

• In October 2011, the City Commission hosted a

study session and reviewed the feasibility of moving forward with recreation facility in the northwest quadrant of the city

• Preliminary site was city-owned property near

Overland and Wakarusa, west of Free State High School

Fundraising and architecture

• In October/November 2011, the City interviewed

fundraising firms to assist with raising additional dollars to enhance the project and architectural firms to begin preliminary plans

• The City Commission tabled plans to hire firms

from those interviews due to a new opportunity that was presented at the Nov. 8 City Commission meeting

Donation of Land

• Duane and Steve Schwada proposed the donation of 50 acres
• f land at the intersection of 6th Street and K-10 as a potential

site for the recreation center

Proposed site

Donation of Land

• In comparison, area outside here – Bauer

Farms and area around 6th & Wakarusa is 40 acres.

• This is a BIG donation of developable land

Ongoing Negotiations

• The City also was approached

by another local developer who shared the Schwadas’ vision for a larger, multi-purpose facility and who envisioned a partnership with KU to fulfill their need for an outdoor track and field venue

Great potential

• All the parties involved began extensive

research into other recreation projects

– New Century Fieldhouse in Gardner – New recreation facility in Olathe – Comparisons of other facilities in Topeka and Kansas City – Frisco, Texas Fieldhouse

Win, win, win

• The collaboration among the City, multiple

developers and KU is resulting in a site plan that would create a tremendous community asset that none of the partners could achieve independently

– Addresses pressing need for additional gym space – Tournaments create economic development potential – At this point, KU is a very likely partner with the City and the builder

Conceptual site plan

(very preliminary and subject to change)

What’s inside

• Tentative plans

– Eight full courts, with no less than 12 cross-courts at a minimum of 50 x 70 – Indoor turf area – Walking track – Wellness Center

• Lawrence Memorial Hospital is interested in partnering in

this aspect of the facility

– Community space for cardio and weights – Potential for gymnastics and/or multi-purpose areas

• Would like your input during tonight’s Q&A

What it will cost

• Initial plan for the facility at Overland/Wakarusa was

around $14 to $15 million

– This money is coming from existing sales tax funds, using availability created as aquatic center bonds are paid off

• Assists Foundation still participating in discussions
• City would put in additional funding for infrastructure

and site improvements

• KDOT beginning study of intersection improvements
• Both of those items would need to be addressed over

time with or without this project. Pooling everyone’s resources as part of an overall project reduces costs and

• ptimizes use of combined funds

What else is happening

• Annexation of the property has been

completed

• Awaiting a recommendation by the Planning

Commission for rezoning of the property

Tonight’s agenda

• Video of the Frisco, Texas

Fieldhouse

• Bob Sanner, Lawrence

Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Q&A Session
• Input regarding what to include in the project
• Discussion of user fees and access availability
• General questions about the project
• Public hearing format
• Each speaker allowed 3 minutes