Ground broken for Aquatic Center
Ground broken for Aquatic Center
Huber Heights Courier
By GREG SMART
Editor
City and County officials gathered last Wednesday behind the Huber Heights YMCA to break ground on the Huber Heights Aquatic Facility and Recreation Complex.
Mayor Ron Fisher said for a long time he's heard people say there's nothing to do in Huber Heights.
"I'm so proud to be a part of what's going to happen on this project," said Fisher. "Council has worked extremely hard to pull this together. Our departments have worked hard. We've had support from the county and support from the state. This is a destination place for people, definitely for Huber Heights people and other people along Interstate 70. We can continue to build and develop this corridor of 201 and I-70..."
Fisher said Council member Mark Campbell set up some of the first meetings with the county commissioners, with the Transportation Improvement District and the state economic development department "and got the ball rolling." Fisher said the project is on pace to open next summer.
"This is going to be one of the greatest events in Huber Heights in the time that I've lived here," said Fisher. "
Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge congratulated the leadership of Huber Heights for "having the vision and determination to see this effort through to this point."
"It will be great to come back next year for the grand opening of this beautiful, beautiful community facility," said Dodge, who called Huber a great place to live, work and play. "Your slogan in Huber Heights is 'Come Grow With Us.' -it's perfect, because you are doing it again."
Parks and Recreation Board Chair Tracy Dudley introduced board members from her committee and said it was one of the best boards she's ever worked with.
"What an exciting day for the city of Huber Heights," she said. "...We are thrilled to see this project come into fruition. It's been a long time coming..."
Dudley said that in two community surveys, residents overwhelmingly indicated a need for an aquatic center.
"...The voice of our city spoke, we heard, we listened, now we get to execute," said Dudley.
She cited the support of Mayor Fisher, City Council and city staff, the YMCA and the development partners. She said the project would not have been possible without the tireless effort of those involved.
"As a professional, I work with a very large corporation, and I've seen large scale projects and programs on a daily basis, and this one is one of the best orchestrated collaborations I have ever seen," said Dudley. "The talent pools of these experts is absolutely amazing....It speaks miles for our city leaders as they've listened to the voices of our city-our citizens, and we are leaning forward to make positive changes in our city, not only for the quality of life, but this move helps position us among Ohio's top cities that are actually making a difference."
Fisher thanked Steve Stanley and his staff from the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District for their help to the city on this project as well as DEC Investment Group, including Bill Jump and George Jenkins and project manager Ken Conaway, of 201 Corridor Management, LLC. He also thanked Brandstetter Carroll.
Stanley said it was his pleasure on behalf of the TID to help put this project together with the scope that grew out of the work that TID did on the St. Rt. 201 and 202 interchanges on I-70.
"This was the first community in which the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District was involved," he said. "It's a pleasure to me to return here and help the city advance its future..."
Before breaking ground, City Council member Tyler Starline recognized the Huber Heights City Schools.
"To fund this we are using TIF (Tax Increment Financing) dollars which require their agreement and their cooperation with us," said Starline. "We've always had a good working relationship with them..."
"What a great community that is doing these kind of projects and I think using the TIF money very well to support the youth in our community because we are a community about families," said Superintendent William Kirby.
Fisher said the project would be somewhere in the $6 million range using TIF funds with no new taxes.