Ozark moves forward on community center

The $11 million multipurpose center – slated for construction on 57 acres near highways 65 and 14 – will be funded with revenue from a K-cent sales tax approved by voters last month. Of the 2,025 voters who turned out Aug. 8, 1,174 favored the tax and 851 opposed it.

The tax, which takes effect Jan. 1, is expected to generate roughly $1 million a year for the next 20 years, said Ozark Mayor Donna McQuay. Revenue above and beyond the cost of the center will be earmarked for storm-water improvement projects, and the tax will scale back to V-cent for maintenance once all projects are finished.

The city is dedicating $17 million for recreational developments, including the multipurpose center, land acquisitions and ball fields.

Springfield-based Sapp Design Architects is designing the nearly 60,000-square-foot community center, which will be adjacent to the Finley River. The firm has held several public meetings to gather input on the design, said Dodee Matthews, Ozark’s parks and recreation director.

Although the design is not yet complete, certain features at the center are in place, Matthews said. They include two gyms, a fitness center, running track, locker rooms, parks and recreation offices and an indoor aquatic facility consisting of a four-lane, zero-depth entry pool and a lazy river that will double as a therapy pool.

Sapp Design Associates should complete the schematic design by mid-November so that the city can move forward with construction documents in December and January, Matthews said. If bids are solicited early next year, construction could begin in March or April, she added.

Construction will take at least a year, meaning the center won’t be open to the public until spring 2008 at the earliest.

“We’re just excited about the opportunity, and we want to thank the community for the vote and the support,” Matthews said.

Sales tax revenues will fund the acquisition of 60 acres for ball fields on Ozark’s south side. Negotiations are ongoing for the real estate west of Highway JJ toward Sparta, and McQuay said the city hopes to close on the land in October.

The city also is pursuing grant funding for a proposed skate park near the community center, Matthews said.

Community center crop

Numerous towns in the Springfield area have built multipurpose community centers in recent years.

The Christian County town of Nixa – Ozark’s neighbor to the west – opened a $3.85 million community center four years ago in McCauley Park. The 37-acre spread also includes an outdoor aquatic park, walking trails, restrooms and picnic pavilions, a children’s playground and athletic fields.

Nixa Community Center partnered with St. John’s Hospital to open at fitness center at the site.

Sapp Design Associates designed Nixa’s community center and similar facilities in Willard and Republic. Willard’s center cost more than $1 million to build and Republic’s center cost more than $3 million.

Farther south, Branson opened its $12 million RecPlex in June on 42 acres in Branson Hills.

Like its counterparts, the state-of-the-art complex offers fitness, recreation, aquatics and organized athletics at one location. The 44,000-square-foot recreation center has two gymnasiums, a fitness center, indoor track, locker rooms, community rooms, game rooms and a concession area.

Recreational Center Trend

Here’s a rundown of recent community centers to open in bedroom communities to Springfield. Sapp Design Associates in Springfield designed each.

Town; Opening date; Cost; Square feet; Special features

Nixa; 2002; $3.85 million; 35,000; picnic pavillion/aquatic park

Republic; Oct. 2003; $3 million; 34,000; two gyms, wave simulator

Willard; June 2002; $1.3 million; 18,000; Cox Fitness Center

Branson; June; $12 million; 44,000; aquatic center, two gyms

Ozark; projected spring 2008; more than $11 million; 60,000; lazy river/ therapy pool[[In-content Ad]]