This is part 3 of a 3-part series.

Kimball -- Now that the City Council has re-instated a committee to work on the wellness center project, the next steps are to create the design and research funding options. 

Council Member Christy Warner says a few things the wellness center may include are a basketball court, pool, walking track, meeting rooms, and a special pool for therapy purposes. 

Once the committee members have created a vision of what it could look like, they will hold public meetings to receive feedback from the community members. 

Once the design is completed, the city council can determine how much the project will cost and move forward with attaining the funding. 

The original Kimball Pool Committee set the project aside in the fall of 2023 after they had pursued avenues of funding that did not pan out. 

The two main sources of funding they were hoping for were a utility infrastructure tax and help from Northrop Grumman, who is expected to bring the missile project to town. 

Warner explained that Northrop Grumman was potentially going to help fund the wellness center because for them to bring workers to town for their project, they are required to provide housing and recreation. So, it would be cheaper for them to put money toward a wellness center of our own than build a recreational center themselves. 

By mid-February 2023, however, the committee realized the missile project was not happening yet.  

That’s when they took the route of holding a special election for an additional utility infrastructure tax, which would help fund the city’s electricity, water, and sewer repairs, as well as go toward parks and a potential wellness center. 

Unfortunately, it did not pass, and the City Council needs to wait two years to bring it back for another vote. 

Warner says, “I think the public would be more likely to vote in favor of the utility tax if they understood not only that it's going to help keep maintaining the utilities we already have but potentially assist in renovating a newer, more modern wellness center.” 

Ultimately, the project will need a combination of funds including the possible infrastructure tax and several grants.