Community Center

By Stephanie Johnson

Claims are being made of wide-spread support for the Community Center, just like the claims made for Library project, with some City Council candidates urging us to forge ahead now.

1. A new Recreation building would contain a two court gymnasium, indoor pool, fitness room, locker rooms, small classroom, babysitting area and staff offices.

2. A new Community building would contain a pre-function gathering space, fireside room, bride's room, caterer's kitchen and culinary classroom, group exercise/dance studio and a great room that can seat 250 people.

The facilities would be open to the public full time with school participation to be negotiated. The projected annual operating cost is $1,953,000; the projected annual revenue is: $1,811,000 (assuming that everyone pays usage fees and 50,000 non-resident visitors).

The proposal does not consider the $26.5 million construction cost. How do we pay for it? Absent any private or corporate funding, we taxpayers will incur a $26.5 million debit. Can the City budget afford the ongoing net operating loss?

The location of the proposed Center on School District property, and shared usage of facilities with the schools endangers our children by bringing adults to the area day and evening. Do our children need to share a basketball court and pool with strangers?

Should the City be in the hospitality business?

Let's not confuse the Community Center with Sports facilities. Does this proposal meet our needs?