Alpena County officials want to hear what you would want to see in an expanded APlex that could include a new community pool.

News staff writer Steve Schulwitz reported Wednesday that county leaders will soon put up a survey at AlpenaCounty.org to ask residents which features they’d want in a remodeled APlex. The county also will put together a task force of APlex users to ask them the same question.

The county has already committed $3,200 toward a $67,000 contract with Lansing firm C2AE to begin designing an APlex expansion. Several partners, including the Park Family Foundation, the Besser Foundation, First Federal Foundation, Friends of Plaza Pool, and others, paid for the balance of the C2AE contract and are committed to helping fund construction.

The APlex has real value to Alpena and Northeast Michigan as a whole. People go there to work out or take classes. Service clubs hold their regular meetings there. People get married there and host receptions and other parties there. The community goes there for fundraisers and just to rock out at a concert.

The community needs that facility, and we’re glad to see the county opening up its ears to hear what the community has to say about its future.

If you are a regular user of the APlex, consider joining the focus group. If you are just an occasional user of the facility, make sure to keep an eye out for the survey online.

Thank you, county officials, for being willing to listen.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)