A years-long vision for expanded recreational options in Hope took a visible step forward Monday as city and county officials, project partners and community members gathered for the groundbreaking of a new recreational aquatic center, an effort made possible by voter approval of a dedicated sales tax in 2024.

City Manager J.R. Wilson opened the ceremony by referring to both the length and collaborative nature of the project’s planning

“This has been a long time in the making, probably five years just on this project to get here,” Wilson said from a podium sheltered by an awning near the parking lot of Kelly Field. “From the infancy stage … working with our board of directors, coming up with some plans, meeting people, talking to different groups, meeting with our public, finally, we’re here today.”

Wilson pointed to key contributors already involved in the effort, including architect Clay McGill of BiLD Architects and representatives of lead contractor Ideal Construction, noting their roles in shaping the project over the past year and a half.

Hempstead County Judge Jerry Crane followed with an invocation, highlighting the broad community ownership of the project.

“Lord, this is for everybody. It’s for the whole county,” Crane prayed. “I just pray that this can be something that each one can be proud of and be active in it and be a part of it.”

Hope Mayor Don Still framed the project as part of a broader strategy to improve quality of life and position the city for future growth.

“About four or five years ago, we got committees together to talk about how to better Hope,” Still said. “I told them they need to dream big. I don’t think I ever believed that we would dream this big.”

Still said the aquatic and recreation center is one component of a wider slate of improvements made possible through the voter-approved tax, including a splash pad, pickleball and tennis courts, and a new fire station.

“Sometimes the citizens of Hope just have to get together and decide, this is what we want, and this is the way we make our community better,” he said. “Today, we’re celebrating a part of what people said yes to.”

He added that such investments are increasingly important in economic development conversations.

“One of the things that people look for when they come to want to put a business in town is quality of life,” Still said. “So we were looking for how to make the quality of life better in Hope.”

The mayor also credited voters directly for making the project possible.

“I want to thank the voters of Hope for looking for the future and saying yes we can. Without their support, none of these projects would happen,” he said.

Hope Parks Director Summer Chambers offered a detailed look at how the project evolved alongside broader improvements within the city’s parks system over the past decade.

“I never imagined where those ideas would go in the last 10 years,” Chambers said, recalling her hiring in 2016. “We have quite literally kept our foot on the gas the last several years.”

She outlined a steady progression of upgrades, including new playgrounds, the downtown pocket park, and athletic facility improvements, all part of what she described as a comprehensive 20-year plan for parks and recreation.

“For years, I have heard about this recreation center and the ideas that have been around it,” Chambers said. “What seemed like just a dream then came true as we stand here today.”

Chambers credited a grassroots effort that included research, site visits, and the formation of a special interest group that ultimately brought the proposal to voters.

“When asked if we were crazy, we would say 'Yes, but watch what we can do for our community,'” she said.

She emphasized the breadth of local involvement behind the initiative.

“This group of individuals came with the fire that no one could put out,” Chambers said. “We have spent many evenings together just brainstorming on how we can make Hope the best place possible.”

Chambers also detailed what the new facility will include: “two multi-use indoor courts, an indoor walking track, an eight-lane competition pool, therapy pool and an outdoor pool that will be used seasonally.”

Beyond the physical structure, she described the groundbreaking as symbolic.

“Groundbreaking is just proof of what our community has done and stood together [for] through the years,” Chambers said.  She finished by quoting Helen Keller: “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

Hunter Clippert, President of Ideal Construction, expressed confidence in both the project and the local leadership behind it.

“We’re real excited to be here,” Clippert said. “I grew up in a small town in south Arkansas. I know how important these projects are to the community.”

He added that the collaboration among city officials, designers and contractors has impressed him.

“This is as good a team as I’ve seen start one out,” Clippert said. “We’re going to do a good job … and we’re ready to make the City of Hope proud.”

From there, Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation President Anna Powell coordinated lines of elected officials, planners and other collaborators who used Ideal Construction-marked shovels to turn the earth as photos were snapped, ending the ceremony but starting the process of building the largest part of the Hope for the Future series of projects, which residents can look forward to opening in a year to 18 months.