CLAYTON (KMOX) - St. Louis County is planning for a new, $12 million community center to be the “focal point” of Lemay.

“This will be a three-story facility that’s nestled into Jefferson Barracks Park,” County Economic Council spokeswoman Kathryn Jamboretz told KMOX late Monday. “[The aquatics center] will have a kids’ part, a lap pool and a lazy river,” in addition to an indoor gym and meeting space.

Residents will get their first look at a scale model of the building on May 16th, during a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Hancock Place Elementary School.

Nearby River City Casino will write a $5 million check toward construction, with the remaining amount to come from bonds issued by St. Louis County but paid for through casino lease payments.

Jamboretz told KMOX that the casino’s payments are fixed and the County does not expect to ever be stuck with the bill.

County Executive Charlie Dooley said in a statement:

“We spent a lot of time in this process listening to citizens and what we heard over and over again is that a community and aquatic center is tops on their list. This will be a great addition to the neighborhood.”

Jamboretz said a yet-to-be-determined tax on River City Casino customers will help with operating costs that aren’t covered by admission fees, which are also T.B.D.

Groundbreaking is expected early in 2013 and an grand opening by the start of the 2014 pool season.