During its regular meeting Thursday night, the Mountain Home City Council approved membership rates for the new Aquatic and Community Center. Mayor Hillrey Adams told the council they are tentatively scheduling the opening of the center for May 1 and they hope to have the outdoor pool open by Memorial Day Weekend. He says those dates depend on the weather between now and then.The rates approved by the council were presented by Parks Director Daniel Baxley who said he and his staff studied what other similar centers in cities such as Harrison, Batesville, Benton and Conway are charging. There will be options for annual, three-months, monthly passes. Day passes and 10-visit passes will also be available along with corporate plans. Those who are part of Silver Sneakers and Silver & Fit will not have to pay. Baxley said there will be some classes offered that will cost extra to cover the cost of the instructor.
Several members from the audience addressed the council before they voted. One person was concerned about the high cost of the rates, saying they are higher than what the other towns are
charging, especially for seniors and students. She was also concerned about the extra cost for classes that will be offered.
Two men, George Wolford and Dan Hall, who work with veterans asked the council to consider allowing disabled veterans to get in for free and have better rates for those who served in the military. The current plan is to offer 10% off for active and retired military and first responders. The city will discuss the idea further.
Mayor Adams says they hope to have everything ready by Feb. 1 so memberships can start being sold. He says they are also planning on having one night a week in February where they have staff at the new Mountain Home Aquatic and Community Center selling memberships.
In other business, the council approved entering into a three-year agreement with Environmental Research Systems Institute (ERSI) for a Georaphic Information System at a cost of $20,600 per year. Director of Public Works Steve Hill told the council the software is for mapping water and sewer pipes in the city to help keep track of their condition and age.
Councilman Philip Frame said he uses the software in his day job and said it can be useful for other departments as well.
The council also approved the sale of a 2011 vactor truck.
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