Your Ames Voice

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026

January 15, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Happy Thursday!

Today, we have a story about the city of Ames preparing to open its new indoor aquatic center this year. There's also have an update about the city’s new fire station and the council entering a lease agreement for its first digital billboard. 

In sports, we’ve coverage from the Cyclone’s basketball games, including some tough losses. 

We also have plans to introduce a new newsletter next week! Stay tuned for more information.😊

Thank you for your continued support,


Co-Editors: Anthony Capps & Amber Mohmand
[email protected]

 

 

Top Story

The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is set to be open this spring. | Photo by Bill Monroe

Ames prepares to open indoor aquatic center

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter | Published on Jan. 14, 2026

The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is gearing up to open its doors this year, with city staff shifting their focus from construction to hiring employees, buying equipment and preparing the facility for swimmers.

Fitch will operate on alternating schedules with Furman Aquatic Center throughout the year, city staff told the Ames City Council Tuesday evening.

Staff updated the council on operational plans for the new indoor pool, including hours of operation, fee schedules and budget projections. The report, which required no immediate city council action, outlined how the facility will work alongside the existing Furman Aquatic Center.

 

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City of Ames

City Council

Ames to spend $806,300 on fire station design

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

Ames is one step closer to breaking ground for a new fire station.

 

More from City of Ames

Sports

Men’s Basketball

No. 3 Cyclones stay perfect, top Oklahoma State 83-71

by Jared Larson | Staff Reporter

No. 3 Iowa State didn’t make it easy on itself, but the Cyclones once again found a way to win.

 

More from Sports

In Other News

Story County: Story County Supervisors Elect Officers for 2026

Events & Activities

 

Saturday, Jan. 17

🛠️ Ames Repair Café
10 a.m. | Ames Public Library
Drop in to a free Repair Café at the Library! Volunteers will help repair broken items to give them a longer life cycle. There is no charge for repairs at the Repair Café. 
FREE
 
🎤 Evander Lane: Radio Renegade
7 p.m. | Alluvial Brewing
Evander Ellsbury's psych rock band Eleven Moon gradually accumulated 11 of Ames' finest musicians, performing at 80/35, Greenbelt, and Maximum Ames music festivals. Since moving to Des Moines, he has been creating a new live looping project. Join him for his Ames debut of Radio Renegade, where he uses guitars, vintage radios and organic tape samples to create hauntingly beautiful sound scapes.
$5

Sunday, Jan. 18

🎭 Coop
2 p.m. | KHOI, 622 Douglas Ave.
A play starring Rip Russell and by Iowa native Mary Swander, Coop recounts true stories of Amish, Mennonite and other conscientious objectors during WWI and WWII.
$10 donation suggested
 
🎤 Courtney Krause
7 p.m. | London Underground
Courtney Krause's music achieves a captivating sound by modernizing classic folk with sultry soul and rhythm.

Monday, Jan. 19

👨‍🏫 Ames/Story County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
6 p.m. | Ames Public Library
The City of Ames is joining the Ames/Story County MLK Celebration Committee in honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration. Birthday cookies will be served at 6 p.m. The event will also be available virtually via Facebook Live or live on YouTube. Former Waterloo mayor Quentin Hart will be the keynote speaker. 
FREE

Wednesday, Jan. 21

🏀 Women's Basketball: Iowa State vs. Cincinnati
6:30 p.m. | Hilton Coliseum
The Cyclones take on the Cincinnati Bearcats.
$17+
 
🌈 Pride Rock Debut Drag Show
8 p.m. | London Underground
The show will feature some of Iowa's most talented up-and-coming drag queens and kings, who will illuminate the stage with their vibrant performances all night long.

Other Events on Our Radar

🎶 Jan. 24: Delirium Musicum, Stephens Auditorium
🎭 Jan. 29-Feb. 8: Making God Laugh, Ames Community Theater
🎭 Feb. 4: Mrs. Doubtfire, Stephens Auditorium