BOONE, Iowa—Those that have continued to raise questions about operational costs for a proposed Recreational Wellness Center, proposed for downtown Boone, finally got to see a lot of numbers Thursday evening. Committee members, led by City Council Member Terry Moorman, released possible fee schedules, revenue and expense projections, employee costs and more. The presentation also offered an early look at design and concept drawings for the proposed facility. Kirk Moe with Denovo Construction Solutions and Dave Abler, Architect with Studio MELEE, presented very basic design and concepts for the proposed project. Moe said adjustments are expected to be made in the drawings. Questions were asked about showers in the pool area and also if the pool would be a competition length which it is not in the present plan and is not expected to meet that requirement.

Questions were asked about the cost calculations and Moorman said many were taken from the first committee that took a look at a project pre-pandemic. He said the calculations are conservative, but makes the committee believe that a Recreational Wellness Center could support itself, possibly not the first couple of years after startup, but eventually.

A common issue that continues to be raised is parking downtown and the impact a Recreational Wellness Center would have on parking in general and the impact that would have on existing businesses.

Bill Skare, Boone City Administrator said the Council considers the project a “Quality of Life” project. From the economic development stand point, would be a focal point for downtown. He did emphasize that the Council has said all along that the public would have to approve the proposed project with a vote that will be held March 1st at the Community Building on the Boone County Fairgrounds. Absentee ballots are currently available through the Boone County Auditor’s office and early voting is also available at the Auditor’s office.

The next public meeting will be held on Thursday, February 3rd, 7:00 p.m. at the Boone City Hall Auditorium.

All the information the presented at the meeting is available on the Boone City website.