The designs were previously recommended by the Reinvest in New Ulm (RENU) committee. JLG Architects representative and recreation center design team member Linda McCracken-Hunt gave a summary of the design phase for the recreation center. The designs for the recreation center require an addition on the south side of the existing building. This addition would be the new aquatics center. The indoor playground would also be constructed in this new section. The former indoor pool would be renovated to include the gymnastics center. The space has the necessary clearance needed for a gymnastics facility.
The construction management firm RJM proposed to construct the facility in phases. The new pool, new entry/lobby and fitness area would be part of the first phase. The current field house entrance could still be used during construction. The community would have the use of a pool throughout project construction. The gymnastics center would be part of the second phase. Phase three would include locker rooms, gymnastic support, and a new main entrance. The construction budget is estimated at $9.5 million. McCraken-Hunt said it was a goal to stay within the budgeted amount. Councilor Larry Mack said the design committee worked on this design for six months. It originally was estimated at $20 million, but the committee cut costs in half.
City Manager Chris Dalton said the project was all additions. No amenities will be lost at the recreation center. Racketball courts and basketball courts will remain. Dalton said staff, JLG and the design committee did a great job of putting everything together without losing anything the city already had. McCracken-Hunt said they are still refining documents to bid in the winter and start construction in the spring.
