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Proposed Island recreation center moves a step forward
By TIM DONNELLY
tdonnelly@islandpacket.com
843-706-8145
Published Friday, June 22, 2007

A proposed new recreation center and swimming facility on Hilton Head Island has moved a step forward as supporters prepare to start looking at the costs and feasibility of the project.

The proponents, who have joined with the People for Parks group, said last week they plan to hire a consultant to assess the needs, costs and budget for a second island recreation complex that would include an aquatics center.

The group hopes to have the work completed by late fall, said Arlene Williams, who is helping draw up the proposal. That would allow the Town Council to review the proposal at its annual goal-setting retreat and determine if a new recreation center fits into its capital improvements program.

The Island Recreation Association and a group of swimmers started a push for new facilities earlier this year, saying the current 19-year-old center is too small to keep up with the town’s population growth. The building was constructed when the town’s population was less than 20,000; now it’s closer to 35,000.

Supporters said they want to explore the feasibility of constructing a recreation and aquatics center on one site or as two separate facilities.

People for Parks, a nonprofit group that helped raise money for Crossings Park, the skate park and other town facilities, will provide money to hire a consultant, Williams said.

Supporters have met with town staff and planning director Charles Cousins to go over some basic requirements, planner Shea Farrar said.

Proposed features for a new facility include a 25-yard-by-25-meter pool; baby pool and splash area; senior center; social and craft rooms; kitchen space; computer club room; full-size gym and a rock-climbing wall.

In its original proposal, the recreation association estimated a new center would cost $4 million to $5 million, while a swimming center on the same site could cost up to $2 million.

The decision on whether the recreation and aquatics centers are built rests with the Town Council.

H2A NEW Pool Update

December 2006 
NEW AQUATIC FACILITY UPDATE

As many of you know we have a small committee that has been working since the spring on the effort to have a 50 meter pool built on Hilton Head Island.  The committee members are Bill Orton, Carol Hammond, Shannon Stone and Arlene Williams. 

We brought this request to the Town Parks and Recreation Commission in August as the first step in getting Town support for the project.  As a result of that presentation, we were asked by the Chairman of that Commission, Mr. Don Brecker, to study the feasibility of building a new pool and to work in conjunction with a committee formed by the Island Recreation Association to determine where opportunities lie to build it in conjunction with a new Recreation Center.  The Recreation Association committee is comprised of Frank Soule, Mike Manesiotis and Bill Nicol. 

We have been asked to look at, among other things:
·The need and justification for the pool,
·Programming options for the pool
·The scope of the design we envision,
·An ideal location, and
·Joint venture possibilities. 

Any future facility would be managed by the Recreation Association as the current pool is. 

We are working on refining our concepts and cost estimates and anticipate making a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their meeting on January 11, 2007 at 3:30.  It would be to our advantage to have a show of public support at that meeting and I would encourage members of our community to be present if possible, or write letters of support that can be provided to the Commission.  (A sample letter is attached below.) 

Another way you can help is by contacting your County Council member to discuss the need for a 50 meter pool as a complement to the other amenities available to community.  Express to them that this is a much needed addition to our community that will be a focal point for aquatic recreation, instruction and competition. 

Please contact any of the committee members with your comments or suggestions.  We are encouraged to be moving the forward with the Town. 

Arlene Williams
Shannon Stone
William Orton
Carol Hammond

(Click Here for Microsoft Word Sample Letter)

Please read through the Aquatic Facility Proposal we presented to the Town Park and Recreation Commission in March, 2007. We also provided the Commission with a power point summary presentation. 

Click Here for Aquatic Proposal

Click Here for Aquatic Proposal Power Point Presentation