Spencer, IA (KICD)– The Spencer Park Board voted Tuesday to send the proposed campground, splashpad and aquatic center project to the city council for further discussion.

To zero in on the concerns a bit more a request was made to have separate motions to send each piece to the next step separately which started with Mark Lawson recommending a splash pad be placed in the general area of the existing aquatic center primarily for cost purposes.

Having the splashpad potentially placed on the southwest side of the community did not draw any contention from neighbors living in the area nor did the proposed work at the existing pool, but moving the campground to the green space between that area and Moose Pond continues to be the sticking point.

Among those speaking out against the plan was Cheryl Runneberg who cited a number of different concerns on why a campground would not be a good fit in the residential area ranging from and effect on property values and safety to health and especially possible noise.

Also speaking out against the proposed location was Craig Lowe who says he is not against a campground but asked that it be stepped back to allow for more input to be taken.

In attempt to calm some of the concerns on where the project may be headed at this stage, Councilman Brian Balk, who is also a member of Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee, noted that the Park Board is simply continuing a long process to be allow for additional discussions and potential changes to be made to this project.

Even though the Park Board unanimously voted to send the project to the council, members noted they are still open to recommendations from the public on an alternate location for the campground should a better idea come forward.