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Elk Grove Aquatic Complex Approved By Planning Commission Without Water Park

ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A massive water park may not be coming to Elk Grove after the city's planning commission did not recommend moving forward with the project.

It's nothing but a dry piece of land along Big Horn Boulevard and Civic Center Drive in Elk Grove, but it could be get a nice soak of water after the Elk Grove Planning Commission approved part of a plan to build the complex.

"There are tons of kids swimming and playing water polo and if you have water and you could get it in your backyard it makes it a lot easier to keep them," said four-time Olympic medalist Heather Moody.

There are nine high schools in Elk Grove and none of them have a pool. Folmer Olympians who now work with American River Water Polo Club and coach at a local high school say now's the time to dive in.

They say local teams often have to travel elsewhere for meets, and the area is losing talent because of lack of resources.

The planning commission approved something different than the proposed 20-acre, $14 million aquatic complex.

The center would have an Olympic-size pool and a diving platform, but would not include water slides and a wave pool like you would find at Raging Waters on the grounds of Cal Expo.

From an economic standpoint, supporters say the center would still bring money into town by attracting regional, statewide and even national competitions.

Critics are concerned about unanswered questions about the traffic impact the project could have.

While the planning commission isn't recommending the water park, the City Council could decide to vote it through as early as the end of this month.

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