NORTH MYRTLE BEACH - Gov. Mark Sanford helped the city celebrate a milestone in the controversial North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center and promoted his family fitness challenge program at a groundbreaking ceremony Monday.

The facility, scheduled to open in fall 2005, has been a hot-button issue in the city for some time. The city took out an $8.6 million lease-purchase agreement with BB&T Corp. last year to pay for the facility.

But even the lowest bid submitted to the city came in a half-million dollars above that amount.

Titan Construction, one of eight contractors who bid, priced the project at $9.1 million, according to City Manager John Smithson. He said the city is working with the architects to resolve the figures, but City Council members have indicated a gymnasium would be cut if the bids came in too high.

Some residents have expressed concerns in the past over the cost and size of the center and in using taxpayers' money to pay for it.

City officials continue to say that the financial burden of the center will not fall on taxpayers.

Monday's ceremony marked a step forward in building a state-of-the-art facility. The center will include a fitness room, a gymnasium, an eight-lane swimming pool, a running track and racquetball courts.

A portion of North Myrtle Beach's local accommodations tax will be used as a guarantee to the bank that it can pay off the loan. The money would come from the half-percent increase in accommodations tax the council approved in 2002, which totals $550,000.

If the city chose Titan Construction, it could cut the gymnasium - which city officials have said would be the first thing to go if the project came in over budget - and save $902,500, according to city documents.

City Council will look at its options and decide what to keep, add or omit from the center, Smithson said.

Sanford expressed his appreciation Monday of the community's efforts on the center.

"The center represents an alternative to being a couch potato," he said. "To have an alternative like this is a great way to get the community focused on health."

In support of Sanford's cross-state bike ride program, Mayor Marilyn Hatley challenged citizens in North Myrtle Beach to bike, swim, walk or run 300 miles between Monday and when the center opens.

"I hope we will see a healthier community," she said.

Personal trainers

Eight-lane lap pool

Three-lane, warm-water therapy pool with easy accessibility

Wheelchair lift

Arthritis exercise classes

Youth and adult swim lessons

Whirlpool and dry sauna