The Capital Improvement Plan was the main topic of discussion at the Ames City Council meeting Tuesday night.

The council met in a regularly scheduled meeting and moved swiftly through the consent agenda, with the discussion for the night circling around the 2007 to 2012 Capital Improvements plan.

Issues brought to the council’s attention included a resolution to approve a $17,300 contract with RDG Architectural Firm to determine the size of an outdoor aquatics center and is awaiting council approval.

The issue is centered on the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex, which include soccer fields, softball and baseball diamonds that are heavily used by the children of Ames.

The general consensus from community members that came forward to present at the meeting, is that improvements will need to be made primarily to the road leading to the complex and the parking lots.

“According to ordinances, the city has to pay for these parking lots,” said Steven Shainker, the city manager.

The programs [at the sports complex] provide a service that we would have to provide if the volunteers did not and the costs would be tremendously more, Shainker said.

“We have a program that nobody else can duplicate,” Julie Mallas, president of the Ames girl’s softball association said. “This is teaching girls to have fun playing softball.”

The amount of money to repair the parking lots and roads at the complex, although purely conceptual at this stage, is estimated to be close to $195,000.

“I know it looks like a large amount of money, but I think we should contribute some if not all,” Shainker said.

The council then discussed the possibility of the organizations raising some of the funds to contribute to the improvements.

“I think the groups are eligible for the grants,” said Jami Larson, 2nd Ward council member.

Many speakers felt the complex is a great addition to the city and provides many benefits.

The complex is a gateway to the city in my opinion, the groups have been asking for the money to fix these problems for three or four years, said Dan Rice, 1st Ward council member.

“The complex has been open for 10 years, I think it’s time to give something back,” Rice said.