By Steve Bell
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-972564.mp3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After nearly 20 years, a public swimming pool is coming to Southeast Kansas City, Missouri, but it won't be open this summer.
It will take about a year to build a new aquatic center on Longview Road near Blue Ridge Boulevard if the full city council follows the finance committee's recommendation and advances the remaining 4 million dollars in funding, which is already included in the Public Improvements Advisory Committee's 5-year plan.
Vanessa Claborn-Welch is a member of that commission, and says the area needs the main attraction for people of all ages, and especially for competitive events. And, she said, people from that part of the city now have to go all the way City to Central High School to have any type of pool for a competitive event.
The committee gave the nod to the advance for the aquatic center, which also is to contain several water slides, as well as administration and bath house buildings. It will be supported by user fees. The full council votes on writing the check Thursday, June 9th.