Sidney's new aquatic center under construction

Construction crews have been busy preparing the site of the new Sidney outdoor aquatic center.

On Thursday morning, concrete was being poured for the competition pool.

City of Sidney Park Superintendent Tom von Seggern said according to the contractor, construction is on schedule.

The project is set to be completed in May of next year – in time for Memorial Day 2016.

City Councilors approved the $5.4 million aquatic center earlier this year.

The facility will include a lap pool, leisure pool with lazy river, a 20-foot slide, five geysers and other water features and amenities. The complex will also have locker rooms, a concession stand and a pump room.

Next week, the floor for the pump house is scheduled to be poured.

Von Seggern said crews will work throughout the winter completing plumbing and other work inside the pump house.

While construction is already underway, an official groundbreaking ceremony will take place next Friday, Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at the site off Fort Sidney Road by the city T-ball fields.

"The ground breaking will be an opportunity to thank those who have already supported the project and let people know we still need money to meet our goal," Tina Hochwender, Sidney economic development director, said.

A $250,000 matching grant from the Peter Kiewit Foundation could be awarded to the project if $750,000 in local contributions is secured.

"We still have a little bit of money to get," Hochwender said.

After donations from businesses and residents, about $293,000 remains to be raised in order to receive the grant.

The deadline to meet the challenge grant is March 31, she added.