Projects

The City Council has awarded a contract to TK Construction of Pella, Iowa, to build a new splash pad at Daley Park, 340 Wilder Blvd.

The splash pad will include more than 30 interactive water features, along with outdoor showers, shade structures, and bench seating. The water play equipment will be provided by Commercial Recreation Specialists, based in Verona, Wisconsin.

Construction is scheduled to begin in September, weather permitting, with the splash pad expected to open in June 2026.

Exciting milestones are taking shape at the future Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Crews have completed excavation for both the lap pool and the wellness pool, with just one basin left to dig.

The new facility at 115 N. Elm will include:

• A six-lane, 25-yard lap pool
• A zero-depth entry splash pool
• A current channel
• A wellness pool
• A body slide
• Party rooms 
• Multi-purpose rooms
• A walking area

Project costs are estimated at approximately $28 million. The Ames City Council has allocated $18.6 million, and donors have contributed an additional $8.4 million. Story County has also contributed $500,000, and a Community Attraction and Tourism grant of $500,000 was secured.

Below, you can find updates on the progress that has been made.

Fitch Monthly Status Report Jan. 2025(PDF, 1MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report Feb. 2025(PDF, 6MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report March 2025(PDF, 3MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report April 2025(PDF, 24MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report May 2025(PDF, 34MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report June 2025(PDF, 31MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report July 2025(PDF, 51MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report Aug. 2025(PDF, 45MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report Sept. 2025(PDF, 93MB)

Fitch Monthly Status Report Oct. 2025(PDF, 6MB)

The Parks and Recreation Maintenance Facility Expansion Project, located at 700 E. 13th St., is designed to consolidate park maintenance staff and equipment into one location to improve efficiency and effectiveness. SVPA Architects of Des Moines, Iowa, was hired to provide design services, bidding assistance and construction administration.

The project includes four main components: renovation of the existing Park Maintenance Building, construction of additional parking, a cold storage building, and relocation of the bulk water station.