Background
In the spring of 2004, A.V. Symington generously bequeathed to Ida Lee Park approximately $5,000,000 for the provision of recreational services and/or the purchase of equipment. Her will specifically stated that the funds were to be used “exclusively for the purchase or construction of improvements and/or purchase of equipment and services for public recreational and educational purposes at Ida Lee Recreation Center”.
In February, 2005 a community input session was held to discus four main projects identified by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and solicit any new ideas. The main projects discussed in no specific order were: Land Acquisition, Expansion of the Recreation Center to include fitness, aquatics, and youth services, an Indoor Tennis Facility, and an Outdoor Pool. A feasibility analysis of these projects was conducted that included a Town and market wide survey.
After consultation with financial advisors for the Town of Leesburg, the Parks and Recreation Commission endorsed a plan that would acquire adjacent land and develop an outdoor pool and indoor tennis center. Based on the feasibility analysis it was determined that the expansion of the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center was not a viable option.
The Leesburg Town Council, at their January 10, 2006 meeting, voted 6-0-1 to approve the plan endorsed by the Leesburg Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for the development of an outdoor pool and indoor tennis facility along with the acquisition of adjacent land at Ida Lee Park. The goal for the opening of the new outdoor pool is May, 2009.
- Resolution No 2006-10 (eDocument Archive)
Status
- The team of Smolen/Emr & Associates in association with Almy Architects was selected to provide schematic design and construction documents for the project.
- A community focus group meeting was held to identify potential design elements and layouts. - Complete
- Based on information gathered during the focus group meeting three potential pool designs were developed. In June, 2006 the three designs were displayed during an open community input meeting and preferences/comments were solicited. - Complete
- Scheme I (PDF 1.3MB)
- Scheme II (PDF 299K)
- Scheme III (PDF 272K)
- After reviewing the information gathered at the community input meeting the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted to adopt the design concept in Scheme I for the outdoor pool at Ida Lee.
- The Leesburg Town Council at their January 23, 2007 meeting voted 7–0 to approve a plan endorsed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission to re-allocate project funding that was approved in resolution No. 2006-10. The budget for the outdoor pool project is now $7,000,000 and land acquisition is $1,000,000.
- Resolution No. 2007-20 (PDF 49K)
- Final design and construction documents are being development. - Ongoing
Next Steps
- Solicit bids for the construction of the Outdoor Pool at Ida Lee.
- Award of contract for construction.
- Construction begins.
- May, 2009 Grand Opening!
Comments
Email your comments or questions regarding the Outdoor Pool at Ida Lee project to Rich Williams, Assistant Director for Recreation at rwilliams@leesburgva.gov .
