Background 

Prior to March 2022, Municipal Pool, located at Ames High School, provided indoor swimming opportunities for the school district and Ames community. That facility was closed and demolished in spring 2022 and a new natatorium for school district use only was constructed as part of the new Ames High School.

Because a public indoor swimming pool is no longer available in the community, construction of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center (FFIAC) is a high priority for the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Ames residents. This facility will provide warm water aquatic opportunities for all ages which are currently lacking in Ames and Story County.

Funding Opportunity

The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is being planned to take advantage of the State of Iowa’s Reinvestment District Program (RDP). This program allows new state sales and hotel/motel taxes generated by new developments constructed within a City Council-created Reinvestment District to be rebated back to a municipality over a 20-year period. The Ames City Council created a Reinvestment District that includes the aquatic center property along Lincoln Way, much of Downtown Ames, and new development proposed on property north of Lincoln Way from Clark to Kellogg avenues (called “The Linc”). The City of Ames has submitted an application to the Iowa Economic Development Board to receive a rebate of up to $10 million based on any new revenue generated by the proposed development.

Timeline

• Nov. 23, 2021: City Council approved hiring RDG Planning and Design for preliminary design work for FFIAC.
• January 2022: Request for Proposals (RFP) issued for Construction Management services for the construction of the FFIAC.
• May 10, 2022: City Council reviews RFPs and directs staff to negotiate a contract with Story Construction for Construction Management services.
• Aug. 23, 2022: City Council directs staff to pursue a project to construct a new indoor aquatic facility at a 2.91-acre site owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), located at 122 N. Oak Ave.
• Dec. 13, 2022: City Council authorizes submittal to the DOT of an offer to buy the property located at 122 N. Oak Ave.
• Dec. 13, 2022: City Council awarded contract to RDG Planning and Design for final design, bidding, and construction administration.
• Dec. 13, 2022: City Council awarded final contract to Story Construction for Construction Management services
• Jan. 5, 2023: The City purchased the DOT property at 122 N. Oak Ave.
• UPCOMING (Dates are tentative and subject to change):
• March 28, 2023: Staff to present updated plans and cost estimates to City Council
• November 2023: Distribute bid documents to potential bidders
• December 2023: Award contracts for construction of the FFIAC
• January - March 2024: Demolish existing buildings on site
• April 2024 - October 2025: Construction of FFIAC
• November 2025: Grand opening of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center

Donations

At its Feb. 28, 2023 meeting, the City Council acknowledged more than $10 million in donations for the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Donations are still being accepted. For information on donating, please contact Keith Abraham, Director of Parks and Recreation, at keith.abraham@cityofames.org.

Donors recognized at the Feb. 23, 2023 City Council Meeting.

Conceptual Design

Conceptual designs for FFIAC have been prepared for the North Oak Avenue site: a single-level aquatic center and a two-level aquatic center with additional features. Updated plans will be presented to the City Council at its March 28, 2023 meeting.

For additional information on the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, contact Keith Abraham, Director of Parks and Recreation, at keith.abraham@cityofames.org.