Title
Receive an update on the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center project and consider naming the natatorium "The Margaret Young Natatorium" and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Farmers Branch Aquatics Center project is underway. The natatorium slab has been poured, excavation for the adult pool is substantially complete and piers have been poured for the slide tower. The natatorium should be open in February or March of 2015 and the grand opening for the outdoor area will be on Memorial Day weekend of 2015.
DISCUSSION:
While construction is going on at a steady pace, City Administration is working on numerous items, including the website and marketing pieces.
Because of the frog slide, which was a prominent piece at the Don Showman Pool, that pool was known by many local children as the "frog pool". While working on marketing and potential mascot ideas the name "Frog Pond" was conceived for the new outdoor area at the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center. Attached are images of mascots in the form of a frog family and a frog logo specifically for the Aquatics Center. The frog family and the frog logo both incorporate pieces of the regular Farmers Branch logo.
While discussing these items with the Parks and Recreation Board, the Board unanimously passed a motion to recommend to City Council that the natatorium be named "The Margaret Young Natatorium". Margaret Young is the long time Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board; a strong advocate for parks, recreation, and quality of life issues not just locally but at the state and national levels as well; and she has been a guiding force in the creation of the park system that makes Farmers Branch "The City in a Park".
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends naming the natatorium of the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center "The Margaret Young Natatorium".
ACTIONS:
1) Motion to name the natatorium "The Margaret Young Natatorium."
2) Motion to deny naming the natatorium "The Margaret Young Natatorium".
3) Motion to modify to meet the needs of Council.
4) Motion to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Site Plan of the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center
2. Frog family
3. Frog logo