Citizens gathered in the Meeker Elementary School’s auditorium Thursday night to discuss the future of aquatics in Ames. The meeting was the first in a series of four that will take place over the next few weeks.

The purpose of the meetings is to get community input on what features they would like to see included in an aquatics facility, so the parks and recreation commission can then make a recommendation to the city council, said Dave Benson, Ames Parks and Recreation commissioner.

“The commission will meet in May and talk about what we’ve heard and learned from you,” Benson said. “The City Council will then decide if a bond will be issued to build.”

Three different design concepts were presented, with discussion circling the pros and cons of each. There are two proposed locations for the facility, including a site on 13th Street and a site next to the new Ames Middle School on Mortensen Road.

About three-fourths of those in attendance showed support for the 13th Street location over the proposed site next to the middle school.

The 13th Street location is central to all residents and would meet the needs of both the city and the school district, said Nancy Carroll, director of Ames Parks and Recreation.

“One of the most important things to consider is the ‘fun factor,'” Carroll said. “We want to have a recreational appeal to all ages and abilities, which is key to the success of a facility.”

All of the options include lap lanes, water slides and interactive play structures. One of the options includes a 500-foot lazy river. Although including the lazy river would increase the cost approximately $825,000, RGD, the proposed developers said studies show adding a lazy river will increase attendance by 150-200 percent.

The more expensive options will decrease the tax subsidy because of the expected increase in attendance. Cities that have included them, including Clive, West Des Moines and Marshalltown have had rave reviews, said Carroll.

Although there were three options given, many of those attending would like to see another option that combine aspects of options provided. The additional option would include the lazy river and be 50 meters in length instead of the suggested 25.

The next three meetings will focus on the same topics of design and location, and whether the vote for an $8 million government bond will take place in July or November.

An aspect of the debate on the time of the vote circles around including ISU students in the vote. If the vote takes place in July, students won’t be able to participate, Carroll said. However, voting in July would allow for a projected 2009 completion date, and voting in November could push the completion date back to 2010.

The city is encouraging citizens to leave their input on the city Web site, she said.