Silence marked the beginning of a new joint venture between the City of Ames and the Ames School District.

Since the Ames School Board’s policy says “silence means there is no objection,” members of the Ames City Council and the Ames School Board decided Monday night to move forward with plans for a new middle school.

The master plan revealed Monday showed the school with an attached recreation center and indoor/outdoor aquatic facility.

The middle school would include an 800-seat auditorium, three gymnasiums, a media center, a commons/cafeteria area and classrooms. The public portion would include a meeting room, a controlled entrance, three more high school-size gymnasiums, a child care center, a climbing wall, a general use area for aerobic exercise, and a cardiovascular and weight area. The aquatic facility would include a zero-level beach-style entrance, a leisure and lap pool and water slides.

Al Oberlander of RDG Sports, who made the presentation for the city, said the school would have the possibility of being closed off from the proposed recreation center.

“There are time periods when separation is required,” Oberlander said. “This configuration allows the school full control of their areas. During the evening the rec center can be sealed off.”

“Now we have a thundering silent yes. What’s the next step?” said Pat Brown, Ames School Board member.

Ames City Manager Steve Schainker said the next step is to go to the public.

“Tonight we unveiled the middle school and the recreations and aquatic facility master plan,” Schainker said. “The next step is to take the plans to the community and get their input. That will happen in late August when more of the town is here.”

Schainker said the community would be asked which of those options they want, and which aren’t necessary.

Funding for the joint venture would be decided at a later date, but could take the form of another bond issue, Schainker said.

The Ames City Council voted to place a one-percent local-option sales tax before voters on Oct. 8. Ames is the last district to join the rest of Story County in this vote. This is the third time the school district has gone to voters for a local-option sales tax.