Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com

How much are residents willing to pay?

The El Dorado City Commission and Aquatic Center committee have received an opinion of cost from Garver, LLC for options on the proposed aquatic center that’s been discussed over the last year. The cost of opinion options range from $31 million to $64 million, depending on the facilities included.

The following options were presented:

Option one would include a 50-meter indoor competition pool with 1,000 spectator seats, indoor recreation pool and outdoor recreation pool. The cost can range from $52.7-$64.4 million.

Option two would include a 25-yard indoor competition pool with 750 spectator seats, indoor recreation pool and outdoor recreation pool. The cost can range from $32.9-$40.2 million.

Option three would include a 25-yard indoor competition pool with 750 spectator seats and indoor recreation pool. The cost could range from $28-$34.2 million.

Option four would include an outdoor recreation pool that could range in cost from $4.8-$5.9 million.

Options 1-3 would include restrooms, café, changing rooms, locker rooms, classrooms and service kitchen area. The only option not included was the option to fix and update the municipal or USD 490 pool. The question taxpayers need to ask themselves is how much they’re willing to pay for these services. A revenue source hasn’t been identified to raise funds for the facility yet, although a sales tax could be seriously considered.

Those on the committee include Jeremy Sundgren, Patrick Todd, Dr. Amy Seeber, Hayley McVay, and Kelly Tetrick, (Commission Liaison). More details on these options and the aquatic center have been posted on the City of El Dorado website, eldoks.gov/pool.

04/01/2025 udpate: This article has been updated to reflect accurate language.