Aquatic center proposed at O'Brien Fitness Center

A new aquatics center is being proposed in South Bend.

The plan would be to build the new facility at the YMCA O'Brien Fitness Center.

A new addition for the O'Brien Fitness Center here in South Bend..

After a year of assessing whether or not the demand is there for an aquatic center on the south side of South Bend, those in charge at the YMCA say they've got more than enough demand to justify this potential new project.

“Both community residents and members of the YMCA were assessed to find out if there was a need for an aquatic center at this facility and here in south bend, and overwhelmingly, the response was people want an aquatic center in south bend and predominantly on this side of town,” said Charles King III.

While the plan is a long way from being official, those in charge say that this is a new addition that benefits everyone in the area.

“We've had the research that proves it will be sustainable, so we're excited to see a project like this get underway, we know that there's a need there, and we want to be the answer to that need,” said King III.

One of the big emphases of this potential project is to give more pool access to the public.

Macey Hanna, the fund development director at the Y, says plenty of pools in the area don't give access to enough people.

“We want to serve all, so whether that be youth, ages 0 to 2, to our middle aged kids to our seniors, we want to be here for everyone, serving them in whatever capacity the community really sees fit,” said Hanna.

Several steps still remain, including figuring out costs and setting a timeline.

“The next step is to go to designers, to go to funding, to see how we can raise funds, but we're not quite there yet, although we anticipate over the next few days and months to get there where we have more information,” said King III.