Community center, beach expansion eyed

Posted: July 8, 2009

The former YMCA is likely the least favorable of three potential locations for a new Oconomowoc Community Center that were presented at Tuesday night's Common Council meeting.

Matt Wolfert of Bray Architects, which has been working with the city to research the pros and cons of the locations, gave preliminary findings on the sites. An 11,500-square-foot template was used for all locations; the need for 50 parking spaces and consideration was also given for future growth and needs.

Former YMCA

Wolfert said the biggest challenge with this site is that if the city invests in it, it will be making a long-term investment to contribute large amounts of money. The dated 35,000-square-foot building's former pool was abandoned, the facility has no gym or recreational court and in general, the mechanical infrastructure (plumbing, electric, heating, etc.) is outdated and would need to be replaced. A full-scale renovation, about 12,000 square feet, would be needed for the usable space. Not all of the space would need to be renovated, representatives said, but all of the mechanical infrastructure would, according to Wolfert.

Also, if this site is chosen, a new bathhouse for City Beach would be needed because the existing one is inside the current community center.

Downtown

A parcel of land on Worthington Street, known as the "downtown location," is a second option the city is considering. Wolfert said the location has an advantage because of its proximity to the Oconomowoc Public Library and could share parking with the library. Wolfert said the addition of a community center in that location would create a "civic campus" for the city.

Wolfert said the city would need to acquire an additional two parcels of land for this location. Designs show a two-level building that would offer users views of Lac La Belle and City Beach and would have an outside deck area that could be used for city events. Wolfert also said a community center in this location would tie well into the city's downtown master plan - to attract more people to the downtown through more offerings there.

Existing center

Wolfert said using the existing community center site for a new building would pose a challenge because the site is occupied for so many additional things such as band shell concerts, City Beach/park and the boat launch. Parking would be difficult, Wolfert said, but it's possible additional parking could be added if the city acquires adjacent residential properties.

"It is viable, but it has floodplain and setback concerns," Wolfert said of the location, which "just adds another layer to the equation."

City Beach expansion

Steve Brunner of the engineering firm Rukert/Mielke also presented three of several possible alternatives for City Beach expansion.

• The first option focuses on the existing community center site only and does not consider acquiring additional property. Brunner said the boat launch is in poor condition and vehicles with trailers cannot safely maneuver around it. This option proposes removing the community center to free up more space, move the launch to the west and create a more functional driveway for boaters to use to get to the water. The launch would be kept separate from the parking lot, and beach expansion would add 5,500 square feet of space. A half-acre of green space would be added that could include shade trees and walking paths. Brunner said they have met with the state Department of Natural Resources on this plan and the DNR's preliminary feedback was positive, though some dredging might be needed.

• The second option is different in that the city would acquire residential property to the west to allow the project more flexibility, and the beach could be expanded an extra 55 square feet and more green space could be added.

• The last option presented suggests the city acquire three residential properties east of City Beach to allow for beach and green space expansion. Brunner said the plan would add 170 square feet of beach frontage.

Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director Ray Maurer said the department will continue to prioritize these options and make a recommendation to city planning and development personnel, who would in turn recommend a plan to the Common Council. Mayor Maury Sullivan clarified that during this process, the public can expect to be informed of more public meetings and hearings before the Council adopts a plan.

Maurer said he expects numbers will be ready this week for city staff to review, and discussion will continue at the July or August park and rec meeting.