WAUKEE, Iowa — On Wednesday, the Waukee City Council unanimously voted to add a bond referendum for a new $35 million outdoor aquatic center to the November ballot.
If approved by 60% of voters in the Nov. 5 election, the proposed aquatic center will be built with almost 23,000 of square feet of water facilities, four distinct pools, a lazy river and a splash pad.
To fund 60% of the $35 million it would cost to build the project, the city calculates a property tax increase of $34 per year per $100,000 in property valuation. The other 40% would come from other revenue sources.
If the referendum is successful, construction is projected to begin in fall of 2025 with the pool facility opening in summer 2027.
The aquatic center will be located south of University Avenue and east of where 11th Street is anticipated to be built, on a plot of land west of Sugar Creek Golf Course.
Waukee's growing population and lack of a public pool is a reason why the city is considering the project. In a public survey, "89% of survey respondents said they had visited a pool within the last 2-3 years, and 61% said they would use a Waukee aquatic center at least once per week," said the project's webpage.
Season passes could be around $100 for an individual or $225 for a family, while day passes may range from $3-10 per person based on age; the estimates are based on market rates in 2023.
The maximum occupancy is approximately 1,570 people and the city anticipates the annual attendance would be about 94,000.
More information about the proposed aquatic center is available here.