The Crossville City Council last night discussed a proposed indoor recreational facility during a work session.

The proposed location would be on Main Street across from city hall.

The council learned of four different options for the facility.

Option 1 for the City of Crossville Indoor Aquatic and Recreational Facility is a 76,888-square-foot building. Officials say some of the many features would include a 7,000 square foot fitness area, two full-size basketball courts, two separate swimming pools (one being a competition pool), a child care room, a three-lane indoor track on the second level, and a generator so the facility can keep power in the case of an outage. The cost for Option 1 is estimated at $47,583,622.

Option 2 is a 70,858-square-foot facility. It would include a smaller aquatic center, a six-lane competition pool, basketball courts, and one less community room. The cost for Option 2 is $43,442,723.

Option 3 would be 64,632 square feet. The facility would have a smaller gym with middle school-sized basketball courts and a two-lane walking track on the second level. The cost for Option 3 is $40,350,939.

Option 4 would be a smaller structure with one pool and other inclusions. The cost would be $39.5 million.

All four options would have other activities and rooms.

Councilman Scot Shanks recommended the city explore a partnership with the YMCA.

“The biggest advantage would be the YMCA would run it,” said Shanks.

Councilman Rob Harrison said he would like to see how this idea would work.

Putnam County Family YMCA CEO Mandy Perhay said she is concerned about how expensive the final costs would be. She added the city needs to avoid implementing too many features in the center as any that go unused will quickly become a financial liability.

Crossville City Attorney Randall York said the next step in the process would be to set up a meeting with the YMCA to discuss the details of the potential partnership.

“We need to see what the requirements are, and what they may be looking at. Once you do that, I think the council needs to consider which proposal or any modifications that might exist. The council must then decide if this a doable deal and is this something the council wants to do and to pursue.”

City officials said the agreement would allow them to avoid an estimated $800,000 deficit needed to operate the facility.

The council will meet soon with YMCA officials and the architects to explore the options for the proposed facility.