Next Step Toward New Civic Hall: How Does Alligator Creek Fit in to the Plan?

The next step to planning a new Civic Hall for the City of O'Fallon is figuring out just how it fits into plans for Alligator Creek Aquatic Center.

The old Civic Hall has been closed since November 2011 when an inspection determined the 50-year-old building to be structurally unsound.

Instead of renovating, the city decided instead to move ahead with replacing the structure. Staff was directed to consult with the Parks and Recreation board, and that work resulted in a list of suggestions for the new facility.

Those suggestions include:

• Replacing Civic Hall with a larger structure in order to provide for future growth.
• Providing an ADA-compliant entrance to Alligator Creek.
• Keeping all programs in one location for ease of operation.

Questions remain about the location of a new Civic Hall in the park property, along with the possibility of combining it with the Alligator Creek bath house. 

Between March and May, the city will plan the new facility, review the Alligator Creek facility and come up with an operation plan. The city hopes to have a final design by June, along with cost estimates. No date is yet identified for construction to begin.

A citizen survey of the new projects—including the justice center and O'Day Park—is planned for May or June. Results of the survey may affect ballot options when project financing goes to the voters, possibly in November 2013, although the city has identified that date as "extremely aggressive."