Many ISU students say they would not use the new $15 million recreation complex the city of Ames is considering building.

Neil Hines, graduate student in business administration, and Anthony Douglas, senior in marketing, both ISU track team members, said they probably wouldn’t use an off-campus recreation facility.

“We wouldn’t use anything besides [Leid Recreation Athletic Center],” Hines said. “We might use the pool if it is open more frequently. I could see why the community outside the university would use it.”

Douglas said the rec has the advantage of being free to students, who pay a small one-time fee through their student activity fees to use the facility.

“I don’t think students would use it if they have to pay for it,” said Lisa Bagby, senior in health and human performance.

Daniel Kenney, a staff member at the rec and sophomore in health and human performance and, said while students would likely not use the proposed facility, it is a good option for the Ames community to have.

According to the ISU Recreation Services Web site, there are several dozen basketball and volleyball courts on campus. There are also three swimming pools on campus.

Nancy Carroll, director for the Ames Parks and Recreation department, said there has been no formal proposal yet, but the opinions of community members are being taken to see what facilities the complex might have and how much it could cost.

She said the City of Ames is in need of new recreation facilities, and new faculty members at ISU become disappointed when they realize Ames doesn’t have any.

“They’re disappointed that we don’t have this; they’re assuming that we have these facilities,” Carroll said.

“These are just plentiful and Ames doesn’t have any.”

Carroll said ISU students would be encouraged to use the facility.

“We would welcome that as viable members of the community,” she said.

Carroll said the proposal is still in its early stages.

“We have no ideas yet. This is the seek and find stage of what the public thinks and is willing to pay for,” Carroll said. “It’s a challenge — there’s a lot of needs but there’s not the willingness to pay. Not only the building costs but ongoing operation costs.”

The task force proposed a facility that would include an indoor aquatic center, three gymnasiums and four general use rooms, according to Daily staff reports.

It would be funded by a $10 million city bond that would require 60 percent voter approval, as well as $5 million in private donations.

Carroll said the issue would hopefully be addressed more formally in the coming months.

“Ultimately, where we see this going is, at the end of September, we will probably need to kick it back to a consultant,” she said.

Carroll said the consultant would be needed to give a new cost estimate once the facilities of the Rec Plex have been decided.