The Cedar Rapids City Council approved a development agreement at its Aug. 27 meeting establishing a collaboration with the College Community School District on the Prairie Summit YMCA project.
The Prairie Summit YMCA is a $43 million initiative approved by College Community School District voters in a 2023 bond referendum.
The facility will include a competition-size swimming pool with diving capabilities, a recreational pool with splash pad, an indoor walking and running track, turf field, basketball and multipurpose courts, and a cardio and weightlifting area.
Construction of the new facility is anticipated to begin this fall, with open slated for early 2026.
The City of Cedar Rapids’ contribution to the project focuses on public infrastructure support and the indoor walking track component.
The commitment brings an estimated value of $2.5 to $3 million for construction of a roundabout on 76th Street SW, extension of the sewer system to the new facility, and a $500,000 naming rights for the “City of Cedar Rapids Walking Track.”
Council members generally hailed the project as a key contributor to the city’s quality of life and recreational opportunities, though council member David Maier cast the lone vote in objection to the partnership, specifically citing the naming rights agreement.
“The city is not in a financial position to be what I believe is frivolous with dollars,” he said.
And it seems to be that this $500,000 in naming rights is not going to improve the facility … this is a non-essential expenditure. I think it’s a waste of money, and I think that there are much other higher needs that we have in the community.”
“This partnership directly addresses needs identified through several city engagement and community-planning efforts, indicating strong support for an indoor walking track and facilities like the Prairie Summit YMCA,” city manager Jeff Pomeranz said in a release. “The city identified an opportunity to enhance the scope of the walking track to ensure it adequately meets these identified needs, creating one of the largest such amenities in the region.”
“This project closes a recreation facility coverage gap on our west side, ensuring broader access to quality services in a rapidly developing part of the city,” Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said. “The College Community School District came forward with a proposal to maximize the impact of the city’s partnership with minimal taxpayer dollars relative to the overall cost, meaning the Cedar Rapids taxpayer gets exceptional value from the project. This is the perfect example of the kind of public-private collaboration our community deserves, enhancing quality of life for our residents.”
“I want to thank the city council for their support of this project,” added Dr. Doug Wheeler, superintendent of the College Community School District. “The facility was envisioned with two purposes in mind — to benefit our students and to serve the communities we are a part of, including more than 7,000 homes within the Cedar Rapids city limits. The city’s partnership allows us to offer more experiences within the space and provide the best possible amenities to support both current residents in the area and expected residential and commercial growth.”
