Corpus Christi Councilmembers Vaughn, Cantu seek reconsideration of Northside Aquatics Center contract

Two council members are seeking a revote to delay the $8.7M Northside aquatics center until after drought conditions improve and water concerns are addressed.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Just days after Corpus Christi City Council unanimously approved an $8.7 million construction contract for the new Northside Aquatics Center, two council members are asking the city to take a second look.

Councilman Eric Cantu, along with Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn, has filed a motion to reconsider Tuesday’s vote on the project, which is meant to replace the former T.C. Ayers Pool.

The original pool was demolished as part of the Harbor Bridge construction project. Rebuilding a public swimming facility on the Northside is included in a federally required mitigation agreement tied to that project.

Still, both council members say ongoing water supply concerns across the Coastal Bend are driving their request to revisit the vote.

“The public thinks that we’re building a pool in the middle of a drought and you can’t change their mind and I understand that because they don’t trust city leaders because of what’s going on with our water,” Cantu told 3NEWS. “So I want to take my vote back and say no to it until a date when we know we have water. When it makes sense to build a pool.”

Vaughn said while she supports building the aquatics center, she believes now may not be the right time.

“I’m completely for them building the pool, you always keep your word but it makes no sense to tell our citizens to conserve water and then the City gives a contract out to build a pool,” Vaughn said in a statement to 3NEWS. “I would like the City to try and get with TXDOT and add an amendment to build the pool after we get through this drought.”

She added, “Use common sense, this drought is something out of our control, an act of God.”

City officials have previously said the aquatics center must be constructed as part of the final demolition of the old Harbor Bridge, making the project both a legal and federal obligation.

Cantu added that he believes a different type of project could potentially be completed to fulfill the mitigation requirement while using less water.

The motion to reconsider has been placed on the agenda for Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

This is a developing story. Stay with 3NEWS as we continue to follow updates.