Chamber members told of improvements projects

Aquatic center planned

Business Today

KENNETT -- "Destination Downtown" and the Sheryl Crow Community Aquatic Center are still in early stages of development, but should begin to take shape within the next couple of weeks.

Chamber of Commerce board member Steve Crow said the city could possibly break ground for the aquatic center within the next six to eight weeks.

Keith Mitchell donated the property for the future pool, which was the former site of the Barton Lumber Company.

"Over the next three weeks, we will be accepting demolition bids," said Crow at the Chamber's quarterly meeting Oct. 27. "We've already signed a contract with a pool company that is ready to begin construction."

The pool will consist of eight competition lanes, a splash pad, a 20-foot radius kiddie pool, men and women's restrooms and a concession area.

"We could possibly in the future add a walking trail or playground equipment," said Crow.

Jan McElwrath, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said that donations are welcomed to help fund items such as rolling bleachers, deck chairs and slides for the pool.

A statement made by the Chamber said they anticipate the grand opening of the pool to be on Memorial Day 2005.

The pool is just part of a renovation project that plans to revitalize and renovate the downtown area.

The city will be applying for a Downtown Revitalization Grant that will fund the renovation of sidewalks, parking lots, lighting or other infrastructures owned by the city. Maximum funding available through the grant is $400,000.

Plans for the downtown area include the removal of the existing awnings on the downtown buildings.

"The grant would pay for the removal of the awnings but the store owners would be responsible for replacing them," said McElwrath. "Even if the awnings don't get put back up, the removal of them would make the storefronts look better."

Existing awnings have been on the buildings since about 1967.

McElwrath said the downtown area is the first step in a process of expanding renovations throughout the entire city.