The Olympic-size swim stadium is one of numerous public improvement projects that Commissioners want to fund with an extension of the venue tax on hotel rooms and rental cars that was used to build the AT&T Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs.
The projects aren't a done deal. Bexar County residents will go to the polls in May to vote whether to fund the projects.
NISD requested $10 million to build a 2,400-seat swim stadium on land already owned by the District next to the Northside Natatorium off Loop 1604. However, the Commissioners have allocated only $7 million for the project.
"We will try our best to find alternative sources of funding for the remaining $3 million," Superintendent John Folks said. "A world class facility like this will make San Antonio a major competitive swimming destination and will draw hundreds of athletes and thousands of tourists."
In addition, NISD plans to build a smaller warm-up/diving pool with funding from a future bond issue. The three-pool complex has been dubbed the San Antonio National Aquatics Center.
Northside's, proposal has been endorsed by the national governing body for the sport of swimming, USA Swimming, which has promised the venue a minimum of five events per year. If built, the San Antonio National Aquatics Center would be the only facility of its caliber in the central United States. Currently, only similar facilities exist in California and Florida.
Altogether, the Bexar County hopes to fund $415 million worth of projects with an extension of the venue tax, which was first approved by voters in 1999. Voters will be asked to approve four different propositions, which will be broken down based on the type of project. The four areas include (a more detailed list of projects is also available):
- $125 million for San Antonio River improvements
- $110 million for a performing arts center
- $80 million for 13 amateur sport facilities (including Northside's swim stadium)
- $100 million for the community arena grounds and facilities
