Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
The new Sidney Aquatic Center is well on its way through the construction process. The pool is projected to open on Memorial Day weekend.
Progress on Sidney's new pool was discussed at Tuesday's city council meeting.
The finance agreement for the aquatic center from U.S. Bank was unanimously approved. The loan, at $4 million, has a maturity date of May 1, 2024. There will be annual payments of about $460,000 for the next eight years.
The council decided to seek the loan from U.S. Bank after its bonding agency, Ameritas Investment Corp., in December said it would not sell bonds to fund the aquatic center due to uncertainty with Cabela's. In the Dec. 22, 2015, council meeting, Mayor Mark Nienheuser said the city sought financing from local banks, and after they declined, the deal was reached with U.S. Bank in Lincoln.
Construction on the aquatic center began Aug. 17, 2015, and it is due to be completed in May.
The council also officially named the aquatic center the Sidney Aquatic Center at Tuesday's meeting. The city sought names for the new pool from the public at its last meeting, before deciding on the name Tuesday night.
The council discussed rates for daily admission and seasonal passes at Tuesday's meeting, but seeks feedback before potentially voting on the rates at the March 8 meeting. Rates were recommended to be $90 per year or $5 per day for adults, $60 per year or $4 per day for youth, $45 per year or $3 for day for children 5 and under, and $45 per year or $3 per day for seniors. An annual family pass would cost $180.
The council on Tuesday also passed a first reading to increase electric rates for city customers. The second reading for a potential rate increase is set for March 8.
Although the increase is set to be 12 percent, residents and businesses will only see a 4.7 percent increase in electric rates if the ordinance passes. The city will absorb the remainder of the increase.
If the ordinance passes, the electric rate increase will start April 1. Electric rates were last increased in October 2014 by 10 percent.
Also at the meeting, the council:
• Approved a use for water for Pedro and Nicole Peralta at their property at 2468 Road 109.
• Approved a bid of just over $578,000 from Wieser Construction for the Sidney Business Park streets and storm sewer improvement project. The land is zoned for commercial and industrial use.
• The next city council meeting is set for 7:15 p.m. on March 8 at city hall.
Reader Comments(1)
Mitchell writes:
The pool is a good thing for the kids of the area. The financing change is a big mistake by the elected officials on the council and any additional taxes are unfair to the citizens. My opinion is that the day rates are extremely high (outrageous for a public pool). At those prices, many deserving people (both children and adults) will not be able to use the facility. Also, many people coming to our community will not be able to afford these prices. Mike Mitchell Educator
02/24/2016, 7:09 pm