June 8, 2023 |
Photo – Architect’s drawing of aquatic center – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Saratoga, Nick Haderlie updated the town council about his proposed aquatic center.
Nick Haderlie is an attorney. He also runs Platte Valley Martial Arts in Saratoga. During Tuesday’s town council meeting, Haderlie provided the council members with some history about his proposed indoor pool and recreation center.
Haderlie said the donations were used to hire VCBO Architecture, out of Salt Lake City, Utah. He said the firm was responsible for designing the recreation centers in Pinedale, Casper, and Gillette. Haderlie said VCBO took the survey responses and developed two plans for the Saratoga facility.
Haderlie described the first, and less expensive, option. He compared the proposed $12.5 million design to what the Laramie Community Recreation Center offered.
Haderlie said the second option would allow for the construction of a larger, nearly $16 million facility with multiple bodies of water. He said a separate regulation-length lap pool would allow the town to host competitive swimming events. Haderlie said both design plans would accommodate work-out and community gathering space.
The aquatic center will not be cheap to run. Haderlie said the facility will cost around $800,000 a year to operate. Haderlie did not provide cost projections for the first option, but said the aquatic center would need to generate nearly half a million dollars a year to remain in business.
Haderlie said he has formed a non-profit organization, Good Times Valley Recreation, to own and operate the aquatic center. He said he would like the towns of Saratoga and Encampment to eliminate their recreation departments to fund the non-profit. Haderlie said Good Times Valley Recreation would manage all sports related activities for both towns.
Haderlie acknowledged that the yearly operational cost of $800,000 is a significant amount of money. He said the promise of sizable donations from benefactors was the only reason he continued with the project.
Haderlie said the proposed build site would be on town-owned land between the Saratoga Library and middle high school on West Elm Avenue. Haderlie had proposed a 50-year lease of the land to the previous town council, but they said the incoming council should make the decision.
In his initial pitch, Haderlie said the town would take ownership of the aquatic center if he failed to make the lease payments. Haderlie said he would ensure the project would be financially viable before beginning construction.
Haderlie said he would invest the promised donations into a Wyoming Community Foundation account. The Wyoming Community Foundation manages the funding of non-profit organizations and guarantees a 4% return on investment.
Haderlie said Good Times Valley Recreation would be controlled by a board with members from each organization that pledged ongoing financial support to the project. He said board membership would ensure the nonprofit acted in the town’s best interest.
Councilman Mike Cooley expressed support for Haderlie’s vision. Haderlie said he would return to the town council when he had the necessary funding to make the project a reality.
Haderlie said his plans were not set in stone. He said he was open to suggestions on how to build and maintain the indoor water sports facility. Haderlie acknowledged the project was ambitious, but said he was trying to make a positive change to the area.
