After the Crossville City Council voted this week to raise property taxes 15-cent for city residents starting July 1, 2021, many wanted to know just what could be expected with the proposed indoor recreation center. Part of the additional $600,000 a year projected to be taken in from the tax hike will go to the creation of the center. It is set to be built near the intersection of Genesis Road and Iris Lane.

As of now with the wish list components, the facility could include:

PROJECTED GRAND TOTAL SPACE FOR FACILITY

82,180 sq. ft. with an extra allowance of 12,327 sq. ft. – TOTAL 94,507 sq. ft.

PUBLIC SPACES

Main lobby, reception area, men and women’s restrooms and vending area.

WELLNESS/CARDIO CENTER

3,500 sq. ft. wellness/cardio center, classroom, storage and office for wellness director.

GYMNASIUM

16,500 sq. ft. gym, gym storage, an additional 8,000 sq. ft. MAC gym and storage area.

ACTIVITIES SPACES

4,000 sq. ft. jogging track

2,500 sq. ft. pickelball court

2,000 sq. ft after school/youth program room

2,000 sq. ft. aerobics/cardio fitness area

1,000 sq. ft. teen game room

1,000 sq. ft. indoor playground

1,000 sq. ft. adventure activity space

Other smaller areas in this category include activities coordinator, storage, stretching area for jogging track, aerobics storage and concessions.

ADMINISTRATION AREA

Directors office, assistant directors office, office manager/finance office, conference room, work/break room and staff bathroom

CHILD CARE

Check-in area, casual care nursery, storage and bathroom

USER SUPPORT

1,500 sq. ft. women’s locker room

1,500 sq. ft. men’s locker room

80 sq. ft. family room

THREE POOLS (2 indoor pools planned – one for competition and another for warm water therapy. A third pool will be outdoor)

12,600 sq. ft. for 8-lane/25 yard pool and children’s/warm water therapy pool

Other areas include pool locker rooms, aquatic director office, event space rental, a staff life guard on duty, and storage for pool chemicals and supplies

BUILDING SUPPORT

Includes maintenance/weekend supervisor office, main mechanical room, main electrical room, main data room, electrical closet, data closet, custodial storage/supply closet, elevator and elevator equipment room.

Again this is a wish list but this is about as close to an actual list as possible at this time.

HOW DOES THE CITY PAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERTIONS OF THE FACILITY?

• Tax increase (15-cent property tax increase passed June 8, 2021)
• Bonds
• Grants
• Public and private partnerships
• Memberships to the facility (costs to be determined but will be lower for city residents compared to county residents)
• Hold events, tournaments and rentals at the facility

FEASIBILITY STUDY RESULTS FOR INDOOR RECREATIONAL CENTER

A recent recreational complex feasibility study conducted prior to officials starting their search for land revealed an indoor recreational complex could lead to a healthier community, reduction of stress, provide benefits of use for families and citizens, provide child care, and increase tourism and economic growth.

Survey questions in the study included:

Where do you live?

36% in city

62% in rural areas

What is your age?

53% ranged in age from 25 to 44

Why would you use the recreational complex?

67.7% are looking for more programs and activities

How important is it to you and your family that Crossville have a public outdoor pool available for use?

71.6% say extremely to very important

What are your favorite events or programs offered by Crossville Parks and Recreation?

Individual activities – 48.9 percent

Organized group activities – 30 percent

Special events – 21 percent

How much do you support funding the building and operation of a new indoor recreational center?

Fully support – 75.4 percent

Somewhat support – 14 percent

No opinion – 6 percent

Most likely not to support – 2 percent

Do not support – 2 percent

What components of a new indoor recreational facility is very important to be included?

YOUTH ACTIVITIES – 71.1 percent

OUTDOOR POOL – 57 percent

INDOOR WALKING TRACK – 57 percent

GYMS – 48.4 percent

CASUAL CHILD CARE ROOM – 43.8 percent

WARM WATER THERAPY POOL – 38.9 percent

CONCESSION AREA – 36 percent

WEIGHT ROOM/WELLNESS ROOM – 34 percent

AEROBICS/DANCE ROOM – 28.6 percent

MEETING ROOMS – 22 percent

RACQUETBALL COURTS – 20 percent

What activities or programs would be the most important to have in an indoor recreational complex?

Top answers include lap swimming pool, weight and fitness training, indoor recreational activities for kids and adults, rental spaces for events and family gatherings, senior fitness classes, fitness classes, racquetball, and arts and crafts

81% of respondents thought youth athletics and activities indoors are very important

76% thought afterschool programs and summer camps for children are important.

When the City of Crossville constructs an indoor recreational complex with pools, gyms, fitness/weight rooms, aerobic rooms, indoor walking tracks and childcare. How often would you use the facility?

Often – 84 percent

Once a month – 8 percent

Occasionally – 3 percent

Seldom – 2 percent

Never – 2 percent

The architectural program elements of an indoor recreational complex include:

• Indoor pools (one competition lap pool and a warm water therapy pool)
• An outdoor pool
• 4 courts (wood and rubber floor for multi-activity courts)
• Wellness area (free weights, machines and cardio equipment)
• Elevated walking track
• Meeting/classroom spaces
• Concessions
• Event spaces near pool for parties
• Administrative offices
• Support spaces (restrooms, locker rooms, storage areas, pool equipment spaces)
• Conference center (large multi-purpose room used for various events that can be divided into smaller spaces)