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Marshall’s Aquatic Center a top priority for 2023

The City of Marshall considers the construction of a new aquatic center a top priority for 2023. A community aquatic center is beneficial because it is an attraction to perspective community members, promotes interaction and connection with children and families, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. In addition, swimming pools also increase safety in the community because swimming is not just exercise, it is a life-saving skill.

Last year, with key support from our local legislators, Senator Dahms and Representative Swedzinski, special legislation that would have enabled Marshall to extend the current sales tax at the current rate of 0.5% to pay for the costs of a new aquatic center. A half-percent sales tax would equal 50 cents for every $100 dollars spent on sales taxable items. Unfortunately, the Legislature adjourned in May of 2022 without passing a tax bill that would have included Marshall’s special sales tax legislation. This means that Marshall will once again need to secure special legislation in order to extend this valuable and effective revenue stream to pay for the project.

The current aquatic center has many deficiencies. The structures of both the lap/general use-pool and diving pool have significant cracking and structural deterioration at the gutter joint, internal expansion joints, and wall to floor joints. City staff has documented that the lap/general-use pool and diving pool are currently losing water due to leaks at a rate of 12,000 to 15,000 gallons per day. This is an extreme amount of water loss for a pool vessel. The existing bath house and concessions building suffers from many conditions typical of a building more than 50 years old.

It has numerous code compliance issues and many of the building components are inadequate, function poorly or are decayed beyond reasonable repair. The building also has numerous issues in how it serves the users and presents itself to the public. Many areas of the building do not meet the American with Disabilities Act. The mechanical and electrical systems have deteriorated and are in need of repair. Water line breaks are common and waste lines are failing. There is a significant problem of sewer gas entering the shower area of the building and staff have made a makeshift repair that needs replacement. The staff has had to make many repairs to the plumbing systems and these repairs are exposed and add to the poor appearance of the building. Exhaust fans are old and inadequate and provide poor ventilation within spaces.

An October 2021 community survey, when respondents were asked an open-ended question to identify additional recreation amenities and programs that the city could offer, the most common responses were related to swimming pools and water parks. The former topic covered responses related specifically to swimming pools and swimming lessons, while the “water park” topic included references to things like splash pads, water slides, and other water features outside of swimming pools. Furthermore, over 90% of survey respondents reinforced the notion that parks are an essential component for quality of life and attracting individuals to live in and visit the Marshall community.

Concepts for the new aquatic center building program was developed with input from city staff and stakeholders. Participants expressed their desire for items such as increased opportunities for younger children, new amenities, an improved bath house, a concessions area in view of the pool area, a splash pad, and more shade. The building program includes aquatic elements that can accommodate a wide age range and program spaces (changing rooms, concessions, and additional parking) that better serve patrons and staff.

A key part of the community survey was garnering public input regarding different funding options the City of Marshall is exploring to help pay for current or new amenities. The community’s reaction to an extension of the current sales tax was generally good, with a 74% positive response rate. The city is requesting a sales tax extension — it does not raise taxes.

If the sales tax extension fails, a property levy increase would mean a 19% increase in the levy or more. The question of whether to fund the construction of a new aquatic center would be placed on a general election ballot question and the voters of Marshall would be able to vote on the approval of the extension of the sales tax to pay for the new aquatic center.

— Sharon Hanson is the city administrator for the City of Marshall

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