DESOTO (1080 KRLD)- DeSoto has started construction on a 74,000-square-foot recreation center. "ARC at McGowan Park" will be near Parkerville Rd and Academy Way.
"ARC" is an acronym for "aquatic and recreation center." The project will include a competition pool, leisure pool, fitness track, strength training, basketball, volleyball and pickleball. The facility will also have meeting space.
"We can have something that is unique to our city that can be admired by other cities and bring other people into our city," says Mayor Rachel Proctor. "We also wanted to celebrate and connect the natural area."
The park will also include trees, green space and walking paths.
"It's a beautiful thing. Right now in DeSoto we have a lot of projects you're going to see dirt turning for, and it's good," says Interim City Manager Isom Cameron.
Cameron and Proctor say the project can drive economic development while maintaining space for people to relax.
Since 2000, the U.S. Census says DeSoto has grown from 37,983 people to 55,968 in 2022. Proctor says ARC at McCowan Park matches with the city's master plan established in 2010.
"I always say planning gives structure to vision," she says. "Our team here, from our planning department to parks and rec all the way to our city manager, has been very intentional about looking at what the community wants and what the community needs."
The project is expected to cost $53 million and will be paid for with bonds and sponsorships. ARC at McCowan Park is expected to open in 2026.
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