A bubble-like Mandan recreation center will get the shelf for now, but an addition is being eyed for a fitness center at Raging Rivers Water Park.

The park board will ask architect Al Fitterer to draft plans for up to a 7,000 square-foot fitness center on its east side arcade area.

For the Mandan Park Board Monday, the numbers just didn't add up to building a $3 million Sprung Instant structure near the water park.

A shrinking annual ending balance and uncertain level of of support from the city's Vision Fund left them skeptical a recreation center could be done now.

Parks and Recreation director Cole Higlin said annual operation costs of a recreation center would run about $342,000 a year.

Higlin said between paying off the $2.25 million debt of the water park and expenses related to a new recreation center, the now $775,000 ending balance for the park district would be cut to $100,000 in five years. That left nothing for any unforeseen major repairs or other expenses.

"We were looking at subsidizing it at $80,000 a year and that ... would have come out of our general fund," said Park Board President Tracy Porter. "That means we would have had to reduce other facilities and programs or increase revenues from memberships and taxes. That's too big of a number."

Higlin said the park district would have to buy another 36,000 square feet of land near the water park to fit a recreation center. Cost for the land would be $360,000.

"We can't afford it now," said park board member Wanda Knoll.

Porter said the park district should not expect a large amount from the city Vision Fund.

Park board member Jason Arenz said it would be better to wait.

Park board members agreed to weigh the costs of a fitness center at the water park site. They noted it was a rapidly developing area. Some said parents could work out while their kids swam at the water park.

"We've always had a fitness center. We filled that void when there were no other fitness options. ...We're just looking at continuing our own fitness center at another location," Porter said after the meeting.

He said in a couple of years the park district will have a better picture about the economy. "Maybe there will be a bigger push for a rec center. Today, it's something we don't think we can push forward," Porter said.

If feasible, bidding on a fitness center could start in the spring and building could start in the fall after the water park's season closes.

Park board members define a fitness center as an exercise equipment area only. The recreation center would have included a walking track, basketball courts and several other features.

Porter said members of the Community Center's fitness center would be polled about using a fitness center at the water park. He said the school district will allow use of the community center after it takes ownership of the building in July.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com.)