Council approves construction of aquatic center

TUPELO — Officials in Tupelo have approved construction of a proposed $11.3-million indoor aquatic facility at Veterans Park.

City Council members voted 5-2 yesterday in favor of the measure, which launches the project into the next phase. Architects will spend several months finalizing details on the proposed facility before soliciting bids for its construction.

Tupelo Parks and Recreation Director Don Lewis told The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal construction could start sometime next summer and is expected to take about 18 months.

Plans call for a 45,000-square-foot indoor swimming complex to serve the community and competitive swimmers. It would also host meets.

According to a feasibility study, it could generate $407,000 in direct revenues annually and have a $3.5-million annual economic impact.