Nacogdoches Waterworks

Learn more at the January 22 Nacogdoches County Chamber Fourth Friday Luncheon, noon at the Hotel Fredonia. Call 936-560-5533 to RSVP. http://www.nacwaterworks.com/index.php / http://www.youtube.com/user/NacWaterworks

Fundraising for Nacogdoches Water Works aquatic complex underway
By: Paige Hayter, The Pine Log
Next June, Erin Bailey hopes that fundraising plans will be completed, $5.2 million will have been raised and building will begin for the Nacogdoches Water Works aquatic complex.

Bailey, as spokesperson for the water complex committee, gave a presentation at the Rotary Luncheon recently that included fundraising ideas as well as artist renderings of what the complex will include.

The water complex committee is made up of private citizens. Among other ideas presented, the committee is expecting to receive funds through bake sales, penny drives, grants and private contributions.

According to the Water Works Web site (www.nacwaterworks.com), a fifth of the initial budget has already been gathered.

Bailey said she expects for the water complex to bring in 66 jobs and more than $500,000 in income for Nacogdoches. She said she expects the complex to be self sufficient.

"We really want to raise the money ourselves, if we can, and have the grants as a back up," Bailey said. "We're hitting every avenue right now. We're starting with the online groups, and there will be letters going home with kids from school. We should be seeing advertising all over town pretty soon. The marketing campaign is just now gearing up."

The city of Nacogdoches is expected to make a $25,000 contribution to help with media campaigns. Once the complex is built it will be owned by the city.

The complex will include two water slides, a lazy river, a four-lane lap pool and a 10,000-foot community beach area for families. There will also be multiple tables covered by large umbrellas, a children's play station with spray stations and diving boards.

The complex will be located between Lanana Creek and University Drive.

"Really, Nacogdoches doesn't have something for families to do in the summer. We've got putt-putt, and we've got the parks, but this is a little something different," Bailey said. "It's going to bring people in from all over."

There has been some controversy over whether the new complex will infringe on the current pools' audiences. So far local club owners show confidence in their ability to keep customers.

"Honestly, if the water reach is deeper than three-and-a-half feet and they don't charge more than $10, then I will be happier with it than with SFA's recreation center," Devin Bohmer, Spring freshman, said.

Fundraising and building progress can be monitored on the Nacogdoches Water Works Web site or on the Facebook page.