Back to News and Events Menu

NEWS RELEASE

December 4, 2008

Media Contacts:

Howard County Releases Results of Aquatic Feasibility Study

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The Department of Recreation & Parks Advisory Board has agreed to adopt the recommendations of the Aquatic Feasibility Study conducted by Counsilman-Hunsaker over the last nine months (Counsilman-Hunsaker is a full-service engineering, planning and design firm specializing in aquatic facilities). The Board hopes it will be able to further consider these options when the economic future looks brighter.

In the interim, and in an effort to deliver aquatic services to Howard County citizens, the Department of Recreation & Parks will be in discussions with the Howard County Revenue Authority and the Columbia Association to see what role or partnership can be developed to implement any of the options suggested in the plan.

“As we suspected, the Aquatic Feasibility Study determined that there was a need for additional aquatic facilities in Howard County,” said Gary Arthur, Director of the Department of Recreation & Parks. “We realize that some citizens are not served by the 27 pools run by the Columbia Association and community pools located throughout Howard County. We will be trying to rectify that in the future.”

According to the study, there is (on the average in municipal government) one pool for every 42,000 in population. The study found that Howard County and Columbia are quite unique in that there are so many pools located in such a concentrated area in Columbia. However, due to the number of pools in Columbia, it was difficult for Counsilman-Hunsaker to ascertain the exact needs of the entire Howard County community.

The Department of Recreation and Parks currently oversees one pool in Ellicott City. The options that the aquatic study presents would address the aquatic needs in other county locations.

The study can be reviewed on the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks website, http://www.howardcountymd.gov/RAP/RAP_HomePage.htm.

For more information, contact the Department of Recreation & Parks at 410-313-4700.