Unanimous vote gives the green light for community indoor aquatic facility
St. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The city council voted 9-0-0 in favor of finalizing the funding agreement between the City of St. Joseph and the YMCA.
The city will contribute $7,000,000 as well as $270,000 over the next 20 years toward ongoing operational costs. YMCA CEO Tammy Killin said she is excited and thankful.
"To get a unanimous vote is pretty amazing," Killin said.
Many supporters in favor of the pool showed up and spoke at the meeting. Mayor John Josendale said it will be good for the community because it will be a pool that can be used year-round.
"We're not only able to do swim lessons, you're going to be able to do aquatics, swim teams and exercise," Josendale said. "It's a program that'll be good for everybody."
Killin said official renderings will be finalized at some point this summer and the plan is to have contracts completed by August so construction can begin in the fall of 2025.
"We were waiting on this vote to really get that momentum going but we've been working on this for a year, but now it's just all hands on deck," Killin said. "We're going to make this happen."
They YMCA reached their fundraising goal at the end of April.
The planned 35,000-square-foot facility will include a 10-lane, 50-meter lap pool as well as a recreational/therapeutic pool. Other amenities include spectator seats, locker rooms, offices and on-site food and beverage concessions. YMCA staff will also provide swim lessons and water safety classes.
"I'm very pleased to hear the number of people that were in support of it," Josendale said. "We knew that there were a lot of people that really want it… The people who can't swim or are afraid of the water, if we can cure that, if we can help people, I think that will help us all."
Also during the meeting, Ivan Klippenstein was recognized by Mayor Josendale as the new fire chief. He took is oath of office and got his new rank pinned on his uniform.
