City receives $1 million from Scheels to name new aquatics facility
Updated 2:30 p.m. Sept. 14
Scheels has donated $1 million to the city for the new indoor aquatic and recreation center being built in Lion’s Park.
The funds will be used to equip the new facility and provide scholarships for families who need support to gain membership, according to the city.
The new indoor aquatics and recreation center is 45,000 square feet of new construction, set to open in May 2024, that will include a recreation pool, lap pool, gym, fitness center, walking track, multipurpose room, party room, locker rooms, restrooms, child watch area, lobby, offices, storage and mechanical rooms at 900 29th St. S. in a potion of Lions Park.
The city received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for the project that was identified in the 2016 Park and Recreation Master Plan. The city will match that with $10 million through the sale of bonds by the park district.
The facility will replace the Natatorium, which was closed in 2018 and is scheduled for demolition this fall, and once opened, the city will close the current Community Recreation Center in the downtown area.
The city dubbed the facility Aim High Big Sky during the conceptual design phase while pursuing the DOD grant.
For the contribution, the city is naming the facility Scheels Aim High Big Sky for 20 years.
In March 2022, City Commissioners approved a professional services agreement with Bannack for a fundraising campaign for the aquatic center.
Under the agreement, the city is paying the company a monthly retainer of $7,500, pro-rated for any partial month. Out-of-pocket expenses for all services, including travel to/from on-site services and expenses related to third-party services, are additional. All expenses will be reimbursed at cost, according to the staff report.
In March 2022, Park and Recreation Director Steve Herrig, as well as the Bannack proposal documents, indicated the fundraising goal was $1 million.
As of Sept. 13, the campaign has raised $1.6 million, including the Scheels contribution.
“While the campaign is off to a strong start, another $1.4 million is needed to keep the rec center project on track for a May 2024 opening,” according to the city.
The city does not have a policy for naming public facilities, though the city code has a provision for naming city parks.
City Manager Greg Doyon said the agreement with Bannack included language for the company to develop a process for naming rights.
The Bannack agreement and the city press release do not indicate how long Scheels has naming rights of the building.
In March 2022, city staff told commissioners that they were planning to run the fundraising effort through the Peoples Park and Recreation Foundation.
The city finance department told The Electric this week that the fundraising funds were being held in city accounts.
During their Sept. 5 meeting, City Commissioners approved a change order for the new facility.
It’s the fourth change order on the project, totaling $588,052.50
The change includes:
- adding a ridgefold gym divider: $2,973.59
- adding acoustic panels: $143,629.55
- adding tile work in pool areas: $2,055.01
- adding a kiddie frog slide: $47,754.12
- adding a splash pad: $393,828.35
- decreasing site and excavation work: $2,188.12
The changes will be funded through the city’s formal fundraising campaign for the facility.
In November 2021, commissioners awarded a $18.3 million contract to Swank Construction.
In March 2022, commissioners approved a change order that reduced the cost by $244,655 by changing materials. That change didn’t affect amenities, but changed materials used for a cost savings, according to staff.
In July 2022, commissioners approved the second change order for $91,029.58 to address plan review and permit fees and structural enhancements.
In June 2023, commissioners approved a change order for $116,680.25 to address structural enhancements and added more amenities.
Park and Recreation Director Steve Herrig told commissioners during a June 2023 commission meeting that staff would likely start formulating the fee structure in the fall, well ahead of the planned opening since they’ll want to start selling memberships beforehand. He told the park and rec board during their August meeting that the fees were still under review.
For more background on the new indoor aquatics and recreation center, read our previous coverage:
City to consider change order for new indoor aquatic facility
City approves change order for new aquatic center
Construction progressing on city’s new indoor aquatic facility
City approves contract changes for indoor aquatics center
City considering change orders for indoor aquatics center
City reduces cost for aquatic center construction; approves fundraising agreement
City reduces construction contract cost for aquatic center
City staff recommending $18.43 million contract for new aquatic center
City postpones decision on aquatic center construction contract
Staff asking commission to postpone award of aquatic center contract for more review time
City breaks ground on indoor aquatics, recreation center
City considering water main contract for aquatic center on Aug. 17
DoD finds no violation in city process for aquatic center
City budget approved; work on aquatics center continuing
Commissioners approve permit, aggregation and vacating streets for aquatics center
Commission holding public hearings on portions of aquatic center project during May 18 meeting
City Commission sets public hearing on permit for aquatics facility
City Commission scheduled to set public hearing on new aquatic center during April 20 meeting
City planning board unanimously recommends permit approval for aquatic center in Lions Park
City, design team update neighborhood on aquatics facility plans
City continuing plans on aquatics center for Lions Park
City proposes Lions Park as new site for aquatics facility
