One of the largest public projects in Mountain Home’s history is entering its final stages, as the new Mountain Home Aquatic & Community Center rises at McCabe Park and moves closer to completion.
The $38 million complex marks a major expansion of the city’s recreational and community infrastructure, designed to serve everyone from young families to competitive athletes.
KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot News spoke with Mayor Hillrey Adams, who says they expect the center to open in the spring, with the announcement of the long-awaited membership rates to be announced in January.
Mayor Adams says the selected vendor for the cafe area will be Denbro Coffee and Custard.
The project includes three interconnected buildings, each offering distinct amenities. The aquatic wing will feature a full indoor competition pool, a therapy pool for rehabilitation and wellness, and a shallow wading pool designed for families and swim instruction.
Wading pool
The second building houses a gymnasium capable of hosting large-scaled meetings, yet transition to host basketball, volleyball and pickleball, along with an elevated indoor track for walkers and runners. The third space will operate as the community center, providing a fitness area, free weights, a cafe, as well as 2 different concession stands.
Outdoor recreation is also a major component of the design. Plans call for a lazy river, water slides, and a splash pad, expanding warm-weather options and creating a facility officials say will be a regional draw.
Water slides
Outdoor pool, lazy river, and water slides under construction at the new community center
Although there is still plenty of work left to do, Mayor Adams says he is already looking to what’s next for the city.
The center, approved by voters in 2021, aims to give Mountain Home residents a year-round hub for sports, fitness, therapy and large-scale community gatherings. As work continues on the final construction phases, excitement is building across the community for what will become one of the city’s signature public spaces.