photo by: Journal-World File

Lawrence's Outdoor Aquatic Center at 727 Kentucky St.

At an upcoming public meeting, the City of Lawrence is asking community members to weigh in on what they’d like to see from a $6.1 million renovation planned for the city’s Outdoor Aquatic Center.

The city announced in a news release Thursday that it’s beginning a “major” renovation project at the Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., alongside consultants with various Kansas City-area firms. According to the release, the project aims to address maintenance concerns, provide new amenities and result in an expanded pool season.

The public meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 at the Carnegie Building, 200 W. Ninth St. At the meeting, participants will be able to review exhibits about the aquatic center and hear a short presentation. The majority of the meeting will be an open house, “come-and-go-style” opportunity to share feedback with city staff and the consultant team.

According to Thursday’s release, nearly three decades have passed since the Outdoor Aquatic Center was last renovated, and major maintenance issues have developed during that time. The city is in the first phase of planning for this year’s renovation effort and anticipates that part of the process will be completed this summer.

For this project, planning involves assessing existing conditions at the aquatic center, speaking with Lawrence Parks and Recreation pool operations and maintenance staff, developing improvement concepts based on data analysis and public input and identifying a preferred direction and cost estimate. Later work will involve creating detailed design plans, bidding the project and constructing improvements.

As the Journal-World has reported, the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan includes $6.1 million in funding for this project between now and 2028. But the release also notes that if necessary, the city could choose to pursue additional CIP funding.

“It is anticipated that much of the funding will be used for identified maintenance issues and needs,” the release reads. “The balance will support a prioritized range of amenities.”

In addition to the public meeting in mid-April, a survey is also available through Wednesday, May 1, to gather further public opinion.