Ames breaks ground on Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center set to open in November 2025
A $32 million indoor aquatic center covering 38,900 square feet is expected to be ready for use by November 2025.
Donors and local officials gathered Wednesday, April 24, to help initiate construction of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center during a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, April 24, in Ames.
The modern facility, which will include a lazy river, a water slide, and three warm-water basins, will be located at 115 N. Elm Ave., near the intersection of Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue.
The single-story Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center will also provide year-round swimming lessons, exercise classes, water walking, lap swimming, open recreation, and additional exercise opportunities.
Demolition crews tore down the former St. Cecilia school building and the old Department of Transportation office earlier this month to make way for the recreation facility.
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Basic structure should be finished this summer
Ames Director of Parks and Recreation Keith Abraham said the basic structure of the aquatic center should be erected by the summer.
"As we get into those later summer months, you're going to see the steel start going up, the precast panels and the roof," Abraham said. "You're going to see a lot of activity; it's going to look great."
Things will look less busy in the fall and winter, with most of the work being done inside the facility. Exterior work will resume in the summer of 2025.
Fitch Family Aquatic Center made possible through namesake's donation
The Fitch family were significant project donors, gifting $3 million to the indoor facility.
Rich and Mary Fitch, who own Furman Realty in Ames, were eager to help bring a new indoor aquatic center to the city. The longtime Ames residents are thrilled that the new facility was named in their honor, knowing how much of an impact it will have on their neighbors.
"Mary and I are fortunate enough to be able to give back to the city where we live, own our business and have raised our children − Nick, Holly and Jenna − and are now watching our four grandsons grow up," Rich Fitch said. "This facility will be a great asset to the city and to the community for decades to come."
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Donations help bring aquatic center to life
More than $10.4 million was donated by 47 individuals, organizations and businesses to help construct the Fitch Family Aquatic Center.
Mary Greeley Medical Center was another significant project donor, gifting $3 million.
Mary Greeley President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Dieter said the medical center is thankful to help establish a year-round facility.
"We see this indoor aquatic center as yet another jewel in the community fabric that is Ames. It makes the city such a great place to live, work, raise a family and enjoy retirement," Dieter said. "We're really pleased to be able to offer some support of this project for our community, and we know it will help our future generations continue the great promise that is Ames."
The aquatic center's project bids were received in January for about $28.8 million, more than $3 million less than the projected $32.1 million.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Construction of Ames' 38,900 square-foot indoor aquatic center begins
