LIMA — The City of Lima met with the Lima City Schools on Thursday evening to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the proposed aquatic center, the City building remodeling and storage units. The public works committee addressed various concerns in the community regarding the issues.
The City of Lima, YMCA and the Lima Schools created a Memorandum of Understanding for the Lima City Pool Project. The project is set to begin construction in 2023. The official draft has not yet been finalized. The Public Works committee did move forward with the ordinance on Thursday night’s meeting.
Ric Stolly, Director of Parks and Recreation, shared a draft of the vision of the Lima Aquatic Center.
”To provide the space and the place to promote participation and aquatics as a lifetime activity which creates community through the improved physical health and wellness, economic development, and the development of youth,” said Stolly. “It emphasizes respect, responsibility and caring for others. It is a much-needed facility. Our citizens deserve a welcoming place to play, connect and feel themselves as a part of the community. We believe parks and recreational services should be available to all people regardless of income level, ethnicity, gender, ability or age. Extending swim-related services to the Lima community will help strengthen community bonds. Not just about swimming but social equity.”
”Every comment on social media I have read since the start I have been committed to hear what people have had to say,” said Mayor Sharetta Smith. “This project is unique. In 2020, the administration, even before I was mayor, started having this conversation about needing to replace the pool. We did not have the capital and we began to look for partners who also had an interest in teaching young children how to swim. Then the whole world faced a pandemic. We now have the capital to build something.”
According to Public Works Director Kirk Niemeyer the City of Lima is also considering some remodels to the City Hall building and security changes due to an increase in employees. The goal is to focus on the second floor and the front lobby area. No official plans or budget have been made at this time.
The Public Works committee also addressed concerns regarding the residential use of portable storage units. The council will continue to discuss how to enforce and address regulations.
Members of the Public Works Committee address community concerns with the City of Lima.