HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Support of the Healthy Life Center Bond Referndum Vote RESOLUTION NO. 19-462
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
THE HEALTHY LIFE CENTER BOND REFERENDUM VOTE
FOR THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA
WHEREAS, the Ames City Council is committed to creating a one-of-a-kind Healthy
Life Center that will help in making the life-long goal of healthy living accessible and enjoyable
to people of all ages and socio-economic status in Ames and Story County; and,
WHEREAS, the Healthy Life Center represents an unprecedented partnership among the
City of Ames, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Iowa State University, Heartland Senior Services,
Story County, and Des Moines Area Community College; and,
WHEREAS, 41%, or $20,000,000, out of the approximately $49,000,000 needed to
construct the project has been committed from private contributors and government entities; and,
WHEREAS, the Healthy Life Center is planned to house a participation kitchen, multi-
purpose courts, cafd, indoor aquatics center (with therapeutic pool, water slides, lap pool, and
zero-depth basin with a lazy river), cardiovascular equipment, walking track, meeting rooms,
indoor/outdoor playgrounds, rehabilitation equipment, senior service facilities, and community
garden; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Ames has been transparent regarding the development of the
Healthy Life Center, holding numerous meetings since November 2016 to discuss the evolution
of the concept, providing financial projections for the facility, and has given careful
consideration to the risks associated with moving forward with the project; and,
WHEREAS, local government plays a primary role in providing quality-of-life amenities
to a community that oftentimes require tax support for their operations, e.g., Ada Hayden
Heritage Park, Furman Aquatic Center, Ames Public Library, and the City Hall
Auditorium/Community Center; and,
WHEREAS, amenities that enhance the quality-of-life in a community benefit everyone,
make a city vibrant, and help attract new jobs, families, and retirees to a community; this results
in increased property and sales tax revenues, school populations, and more social capital; and,
WHEREAS, these quality-of-life amenities will serve to bolster the City's ability to
provide exceptional public services to everyone who lives in and visits Ames.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ames City Council is unanimous in its
support of the Healthy Life Center and encourages our citizens to vote YES on September 10`hl
• X
ADOPTED THIS 27th day of August, 2019.
'4valu'
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Corrieri
Seconded by: Gartin
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Martin, Nelson
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 27th day of August, 2019.