Page 12 - TN Public WorksJan-Feb 2014 Vol. 31 No. 6
P. 12
by Matthew Cramer
Kingsport Aquatic Center
Wins Project of the Year
This past summer the city of Kingsport the project. The existing wetlands were
opened and began operating the King- of very poor, low-grade quality due
sport Aquatic Center located in the Mead- to contamination from prior uses of
owview District. This project now joins surrounding property. The city worked
the Meadowview Conference Resort and with TDEC to develop a plan to reclaim
Conference Center and the Meadowview the site wetlands and replace them with
Public Golf Course in successfully provid- newly created wetlands in the same
ing recreation to the local community watershed.
and visitors. Year-round facility amenities • he property purchased by the city was
will provide instructional, competitive farmland which had been wetlands in
and recreational swimming opportuni- the past but which had been drained
ties for all age groups to a city population and converted to agricultural activities.
of approximately 50,000 and a regional This lowland property has been con-
population of approximately 500,000. verted to active, high-grade wetlands. The project was master-planned
A Needed Space • he property needed to be raised sev- for future site, parking and building
eral feet to maintain an elevation above
This aquatic center project is the result the 100-year floodplain limits to help expansion. The site has also been
of several events that necessitated its con- drain the property and establish on-site master-planned for adjacent public
struction. These events included: stormwater detention and water quality utility, roadway and infrastructure
• he existing 37-year-old Legion Pool, treatment before being released to the expansion for commercial development
an outdoor 50-meter competition/rec- Horse Creek watershed. along adjacent property.
reation pool, had failing infrastructure, Continued on page 14
diminished use, and did not offer year-
round swimming opportunities. This
pool was slated for decommissioning.
• A public-private partnership between
the city and the local YMCA was estab-
lished to seek and develop land, share
development costs, and maximize com-
munity recreation and fitness offerings.
• Eastman Chemical Company, the pri-
mary regional employer, gifted nearly
16 acres to the city for the development
of a joint city and YMCA complex.
• he Mayor and Board of Aldermen
voted to approve bond funding for the
project to help provide short-term local
and regional economic stimulus and
jobs related to construction during the
economic downturn. The Mayor and
Board also saw the project as a tool for
long-term economic growth through
competitive swimming events and
enhanced tourism opportunities.
Project Challenges
The project had numerous logistical
issues to overcome. These items included
the following:
• Reclamation of onsite wetlands in order
to have sufficient property to develop
12 TPW January/February 2014
Kingsport Aquatic Center
Wins Project of the Year
This past summer the city of Kingsport the project. The existing wetlands were
opened and began operating the King- of very poor, low-grade quality due
sport Aquatic Center located in the Mead- to contamination from prior uses of
owview District. This project now joins surrounding property. The city worked
the Meadowview Conference Resort and with TDEC to develop a plan to reclaim
Conference Center and the Meadowview the site wetlands and replace them with
Public Golf Course in successfully provid- newly created wetlands in the same
ing recreation to the local community watershed.
and visitors. Year-round facility amenities • he property purchased by the city was
will provide instructional, competitive farmland which had been wetlands in
and recreational swimming opportuni- the past but which had been drained
ties for all age groups to a city population and converted to agricultural activities.
of approximately 50,000 and a regional This lowland property has been con-
population of approximately 500,000. verted to active, high-grade wetlands. The project was master-planned
A Needed Space • he property needed to be raised sev- for future site, parking and building
eral feet to maintain an elevation above
This aquatic center project is the result the 100-year floodplain limits to help expansion. The site has also been
of several events that necessitated its con- drain the property and establish on-site master-planned for adjacent public
struction. These events included: stormwater detention and water quality utility, roadway and infrastructure
• he existing 37-year-old Legion Pool, treatment before being released to the expansion for commercial development
an outdoor 50-meter competition/rec- Horse Creek watershed. along adjacent property.
reation pool, had failing infrastructure, Continued on page 14
diminished use, and did not offer year-
round swimming opportunities. This
pool was slated for decommissioning.
• A public-private partnership between
the city and the local YMCA was estab-
lished to seek and develop land, share
development costs, and maximize com-
munity recreation and fitness offerings.
• Eastman Chemical Company, the pri-
mary regional employer, gifted nearly
16 acres to the city for the development
of a joint city and YMCA complex.
• he Mayor and Board of Aldermen
voted to approve bond funding for the
project to help provide short-term local
and regional economic stimulus and
jobs related to construction during the
economic downturn. The Mayor and
Board also saw the project as a tool for
long-term economic growth through
competitive swimming events and
enhanced tourism opportunities.
Project Challenges
The project had numerous logistical
issues to overcome. These items included
the following:
• Reclamation of onsite wetlands in order
to have sufficient property to develop
12 TPW January/February 2014
