Aquatics center idea to get look

Spokane City Council members Monday said they are willing to look at new ideas for developing an indoor aquatics and recreation center, but they are not convinced that a separate board should be created to develop and operate it.

The council voted 6-1 in favor of a resolution that calls for exploring the possibility of building an aquatics and recreation center at Franklin Park or another location.

In other business, the council voted unanimously to initiate annexation of 134 acres of mostly commercial property on the west side of Division Street north of Francis Avenue through the use of previously obtained petitions from property owners.

On the aquatics issue, Councilman Al French proposed creating a public development authority to build and operate the center. Under questioning from Councilman Bob Apple, French acknowledged that a new center might bring an end to free outdoor swimming for children in Spokane.

Apple voted against the resolution, he said, because it undercuts a separate effort by the Park Board to gain voter approval of an aquatics center along with other neighborhood pool improvements.

An Aquatics Citizens Advisory Committee last December recommended construction of an indoor aquatics center adjacent to Albi Stadium, replacement of Comstock Pool, refurbishing of other city pools and construction of new spray features at neighborhood parks.

French’s proposal would put a large new center with as many as four swimming pools in the southeast portion of Franklin Park. It would also have meeting rooms, ball courts, aerobics rooms, day care, weight-lifting facilities and a running area.

French said that by removing aquatics and indoor recreation from the authority of the park department, the plan would free funding for other uses.

Councilwoman Mary Verner said she doesn’t want a public development authority created before the idea is studied. She won an amendment to explore options rather than to move ahead with creation of a PDA.

Several neighborhood representatives objected to the French plan.

Judith Gilmore, of the West Central neighborhood, said she doesn’t want an autonomous board to have control over swimming and other recreation.

Victor Frazier, of the Northwest neighborhood, said the proposal has had little community input and the grounds around Joe Albi Stadium would be a better location.

Mickey Thompson said the plan would help revitalize his Nevada-Lidgerwood neighborhood, which is immediately east of Franklin Park.