Fitch Family Aquatic Center Presentation

This AmesTelevision meeting on March 19, 2026, provided a detailed presentation on the Fitch Family Aquatic Center project, including its design, construction progress, and operational plans. The discussion highlighted the project's initial engineer's estimate of $32 million, which was reduced to approximately $27 million through phased bidding and competitive contractor packages. The city allocated over $2 million for contingency and $1 million for potential site contamination remediation, though no contamination was ultimately found during construction. The aquatic center features multiple pools with varying temperatures, ADA-compliant facilities, multipurpose rooms, and a walking track, with funding support from the Fitch family and other donors. Operational details such as admission rates, season passes, and programming were also covered, including a ten-year agreement ensuring Story County residents pay the same rates as Ames residents. The presentation emphasized the facility's community benefits and ongoing efforts to finalize opening plans and online registration by March 1st.