Southlake facility project set to start

Southlake is on course to begin construction in the next few months on the first phase of its Community Recreation Center.

The project will fill the open space in the southwest corner of Bicentennial Park along Southlake Boulevard and Shady Oaks Drive. The $46.5 million budget capital project has been on the city's drawing board since initial discussion began in 1996.

Phase I work centers on a community events hall, senior activity center, community rooms, conference meeting space and a catering kitchen. Phase II plans include activity areas such as a fitness center, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor turf spaces, an aquatics center and a weight room.

The site plan for the Phase I project gained the approval of Southlake's City Council, with the condition more restrooms would be added with outdoor accessibility.

Construction on Phase I is pegged at $13.5 million on a budget of $14.8 million, which Community Services Director Chris Tribble said leaves wiggle room for adding restrooms. The plan was expected to be submitted with amendments to the council in August. The city plans to put the question of how to fund the second phase to voters in May 2015, when it will hold an election on whether it will redirect existing sales tax revenue to construction and offset a portion of the operational costs of the facility. If that passes, construction on that part of the project is expected in fall 2016.