Spencer, IA (KICD) — Even though they couldn’t take official action because it was just a committee meeting, the Spencer City Council Monday night did come to the consensus that a new campground should be located adjacent to the Aquatic Center on the south side of town.

Councilman Tom Nelson believes having those two amenities and a new splash pad on the same campus will be a bigger draw than placing them at three different sites.

The cost estimate is 7 million dollars, but there was no consensus on whether it should be financed with one bond issue or two. Councilman Brian Balk believes the public should be given a choice by making the aquatic center and campground two separate issues but says the city should proceed with the splashpad without a vote.

Wes Boyer from the Bolton and Menk Engineering firm presented the council with a five-phase design contract not to exceed 421 thousand dollars, which also has to be approved at an official council meeting.

The city has until August 28th to get a bond issue or bond issues on the November election ballot, which means design work needs to begin as soon as possible.