HAMPTON, Va. (WVEC) -- Plans for an aquatics center in Hampton are already in its early stages.
City council voted 4 to 3 to move forward with a building.
Hampton mayor Donnie Tuck says an aquatic center is part of their plan to boost sports tourism in the city.
Council previously discussed the idea of a $32 million building, with 1,500 seats and an outdoor pool, now they're considering a smaller version, with either 750 or 1,000 seats.
However, Mayor Tuck says there are other priorities in the city and believes right now an aquatics center isn't high on that list.
“I think we have things in place that if we try to enhance we can get the same bang for less buck,” Tuck says.
Mayor Tuck was one of the three votes against the center.
He says they have several under-performing properties like the Convention Center which he wants to focus on, as well as expanding the Boo Williams Sportsplex.
“Yes, there's economic impact of having this facility, but we can get closer to the same bang for fewer dollars,” Tuck says. “We have things here if we make enhancements to it I think it'll cost less money.”
Right now, council is considering a building big enough to be a competition facility but still affordable, somewhere in the $22 million range or less.
City council will come back in January with a more specific plan.