SEARCY, Ark. — The City of Searcy is moving forward with bringing its master plan to life now that voters have approved how to pay for it.
City leaders hope that the project will make the city more of a destination.
"I believe that the vote reflected what we've been hearing over the past two years of planning. We're just elated because we know how transformative this is going to be for the community," said Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner.
Now Searcy has a plan for funding the $93 million project after voters approved two tax issues on the ballot last week.
Mayor Faulkner said one issue designates existing A&P funds to use on the future outdoor aquatic center and Riverside Park.
"The other is for a new temporary half-cent sales tax. And that's going to be used to help fund the community center, ballparks, and improvements to our other parks systems and trails and connectivity throughout Searcy," he explained.
One of the city's top priorities is building a new and improved community center.
"We've just outgrown it. The space is small, compared to what our community says," said Richard Stafford, Searcy City Planner.
Stafford said the new one will be much bigger with more to offer, like an indoor walking trail and more areas to play sports.
"Right now, the city's [basketball] program, uses this space, but then it has to use multiple other spaces around town, churches and other schools," he said.
The Mayor said even people living in the city go elsewhere for some activities.
"Right now our families in Searcy are traveling to places like Batesville, and Cabot to use their amenities and facilities. They use their splash pads and water parks and that type of thing. And so Searcy is just a little bit behind the times, but not for long," Mayor Faulkner said.
"It's been such a huge team effort. So many people involved, and it's just been so fun to be a part of it. So glad that we get to continue on," Stafford said.
He also said they're moving into a more detailed design phase and they need to finalize some plans with architects and engineers before they can break ground.
To see more details about the master plan, please click here.