River Park Swimming Pool
After months of debate, the Naples City
Council has made the right decision to proceed with building a
new aquatic center at the River Park Community Center. This
multipurpose project has the opportunity to benefit not only
members of this neighborhood, but the entire community.
Naples is a world-class community
and deserves a world-class swimming pool.
The
challenge, of course, is funding the estimated $1.3 million
project. The city has set aside $275,000 for the pool in the
capital improvement plan, and community services officials are
optimistic another $100,000 could be received through a
Community Development Block Grant.
We should
encourage sharing the project with Collier County Public
Schools and allow members of the Naples High School swim team
to practice at the new nearby aquatic facility. Currently, the
team must compete with other area schools for practice time at
the YMCA in North Naples.
A portion of
the cost could also be covered by offering naming rights to
local families and/or companies. The property for the River
Park swimming pool was originally donated to the city by the
Sample Foundation of Naples. Perhaps it could be named the
“Sample Aquatic Center.”
Community
services officials have been debating what to do with the
50-year-old pool since last summer. By working with leaders in
the River Park neighborhood, they have come up with the best
solution for keeping a pool in the neighborhood and benefiting
the community at large.
As this
project moves forward, we must get further input from the
residents of River Park to ensure that it fits in well with
their neighborhood. This dialog will help us achieve a
thorough and well-researched design that meets their desires
and ensures that the parking needs are met.
The decision
to move forward with this multipurpose project represents a
major, positive step toward ensuring that all of Naples
remains a premier place to live, work and raise a family.
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