News Details (Posted: April 26, 2007):

Round Rock and YMCA to be Partners

Full Description:

The two are building a new pool with joint funds, the first deal of its kind in Central Texas. By Andrea Lorenz AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Thursday, April 26, 2007 ROUND ROCK — The city wanted an indoor pool on its west side. The YMCA of Greater Williamson County was planning to build one. And so, the two entities are planning to put their money together and build a bigger one than either could have had on its own. The city plans to contribute $2 million for a $6 million complex that would have an indoor competitive pool and a separate leisure pool. The YMCA and the city would share access to them. Leander school district voters turned down a similar arrangement last year, in part because it mixed public and private money. But Round Rock officials say they are confident that the final contract will ensure that the city has sufficient control over operation of the pools and their availability to residents. "It's going to allow our swim clubs and possibly our high school swim teams to be able to conduct dual meets indoors during the winter," Mayor Nyle Maxwell said. The deal has been a long time coming for the YMCA. In 2005, the YMCA approached officials from area cities and school districts about building a shared pool. "Typically, you can provide more services to the community if we share the costs," said Jeff Andresen, executive director of the YMCA in the county. The Leander school district considered it and put a $7 million bond proposal on the ballot last May. Voters turned it down, citing the pool's planned location in Cedar Park and the uncommon arrangement with the YMCA. Round Rock has a water park and three city pools, including the Micki Krebsbach Pool, which is used for swim meets. But the indoor pool at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center on the city's east side is not designed for meets, and the city wanted a facility for the winter months on the west side. The city had looked into building a cover for the Micki Krebsbach Pool, which is on the west side of town, but it was estimated that upkeep would cost about $500,000 a year, City Manager Jim Nuse said. After months of discussion, a partnership was formed with the YMCA, and a memorandum of understanding was signed last month. If the contract is approved at an upcoming City Council meeting, the pool could open in summer 2008. Round Rock doesn't need a citywide vote to borrow the $2 million, Assistant City Manager David Kautz said. The City Council can approve the expenditure, which would be included in certificates of obligation for $14.7 million. The rest of the money would pay for improvements to Old Settlers Park. The property tax rate would increase 0.4 cents per $100 of property valuation for 20 years, Kautz said. Those funds would be separate from what voters approved for a recreation center on the west side of town in 2001 as part of an $89.8 million bond package, Kautz said. But public debt, especially the portions that residents don't get to vote on, worries Peggy Venable, of Americans for Prosperity, a taxpayer watchdog group. "We as an organization simply think we're not stingy — we're willing to pay for public services — but we as taxpayers have a right to vote," Venable said. Maxwell said that's why the City Council was elected: to make decisions about the budget and the city. "If we can manage the budget and keep the taxes low and provide a better quality of life, isn't that our job?" he asked. "Even representation at the grass-roots level, you can't go to the voters for every decision. They wouldn't want us to." Maxwell said that although $2 million is a lot of money, what the city will get for it is worth the cost. "In my opinion, we are putting in enough safeguards to protect the city's investments," Maxwell said. The safeguards include a lien on the pool and contract clauses about availability. After the initial $2 million for construction costs, the city would not be required to pay any more money and would get to use the facility for at least 40 years. "We want to make sure in making this investment that the citizens — outside of being (YMCA) members — get as much access as (YMCA) members do to the pool," Maxwell said. "We want to make sure there are times set aside for clubs to practice, hold meets, and, possibly, for the high school swim teams to have meets there." But the city's 10 days of exclusive use wouldn't be for swim meets and competitions. Instead, Nuse said, the city could use those days for city functions or as a leisure option for families and athletes visiting town. The YMCA would arrange to have swim meets on other days. Mark Parshall, the coach of local swimming club the Lone Star Aquatic Club, said the club is hopeful about having an indoor pool in the area but would like assurance that local swim clubs could use it for swim meets. Andresen said days will be set aside in the formal agreement for swim meets and practices. The city and the YMCA are still working out details, Nuse said. When asked about disagreements between the YMCA and city that could arise over the pool's schedule, Nuse said, "You try to eliminate as many of those fights as you can reasonably foresee." alorenz@statesman.com; 246-0008