photo by: Journal-World File

Lawrence's Outdoor Aquatic Center at 727 Kentucky St.

The City of Lawrence is holding two public feedback sessions this week as officials work to finalize the details of a renovation project at the city’s Outdoor Aquatic Center.

The renovation will include a rehabilitation of the current pool space, including plans to separate the shallow pool from the main pool. The city specifically is looking for feedback on the orientation and shape of the separate shallow pool and what kind of play amenities could be added to the facility.

The city will have the feedback events at the Indoor Aquatic Center, located at 4706 Overland Drive on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. as well as on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. City teams will present two concepts for the orientation and shape of the shallow pool.

photo by: City of Lawrence

One design concept for the shallow pool in the city’s renovation of the Outdoor Aquatic Center.

According to city documents, the two options for the shallow pool are both 5,000 square feet. One of the designs is slightly curved, while the other option is flatter. Both designs replace the current zero-depth portion of the pool, which was the portion of the facility that was the most worn, according to engineers working on the renovation. The city will also showcase a list of potential amenities, including a toddler slide, in-water benches and water volleyball.

photo by: City of Lawrence

One design concept for the shallow pool in the city’s renovation of the Outdoor Aquatic Center. This was the most popular option with 70% of the survey respondents selecting this choice over a flatter design.

The renovation has changed its scope over recent months. In August, City Commissioners approved a renovation to Lawrence’s public pool that would add features like a lazy river, a 2,300-square-foot splash pad and shallow pool, but it proposed reducing the total pool space at the center. This reduction in pool space led to public concern about the design, prompting 1,700 people to sign a petition to reconsider the approved design, as the Journal-World reported.

In October, the commission instead voiced support for a plan that would keep the current configuration of the pool. In November, the commissioners approved the current renovation concept, and the construction cost is estimated to be just over $4.7 million — cheaper than the $6.1 million plan approved in August.

If you are interested in providing feedback but can’t attend in person, the city has a short online survey available. The survey is currently open, and will close on Monday, January 27, at 8 a.m.