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Committee goes for ballot issue
By Pat Hill
When the Woodland Park City Council denied a proposal by city manager David Buttery to fund a recreation center with a 1 percent sales tax increase, subject to approval of the voters in November, a citizens’ committee sprung into action.
As a result, the committee expects to circulate petitions to seek the same increase from Woodland Park voters in the April election.
Plans include continuing negotiations with the YMCA in Colorado Springs, and initiating a capital campaign to raise $2 million to $4 million for the project estimated to run up to $14 million. The figure is a revision of the original estimate of $16 million and reduces the size of the facility designed by Christiansen, Reece & Partners architectural firm several years ago.
“There’s quite a big investment in this already, plans, contractors, everything has been selected,” said Neil Levy, who heads the committee.
Envisioned by residents who responded positively about a rec center in a survey, the project fell apart when the financial crisis hit the nation in 2007. The original plans hinged on the opening of Walmart, which was expected to bring a sufficient cash infusion to the city’s coffers to fund the center.
“That has not necessarily been the case — not because of Walmart but because of the nature of our economy right now,” Levy said. “Walmart has been a huge part of our economy, and without them we certainly wouldn’t be able to consider this.”
However, despite the downturn and an 8 percent reduction in sales-tax collections in Woodland Park, the committee is confident the bond can be retired in less than 20 years.
“The point is, that with the 1 percent sales tax we can pay off this facility,” Levy said.
If voters pass the ballot measure, the city would build the facility then lease the business to the YMCA to operate the center.
“That includes all capital improvements, so the city would have no responsibility once the keys were turned over to the YMCA,” Levy said. “The YMCA is a strong supporter of this facility because they feel this will be a successful venue and business for them in Woodland Park.”
While only registered voters in Woodland Park will decide the issue via the ballot box, the center will be open to all Teller County residents.
Woodland Park residents pay 6.9 percent in sales taxes — 3 percent to the city, the remaining to the state and county.
“A 1 percent increase would pay for the rec center, for a total of 7.9 percent,” Levy said.
A marketing point for the ballot issue is that about 50 percent of sales-tax revenue comes from people who live outside Woodland Park.
“So in a sense they are helping to build this facility for us,” Levy said.
The committee also plans to approach private donors and foundations such as Boettcher, Coors or El Pomar to seek grants for the capital campaign.
“If this ballot passes and we receive the OK to raise the sales tax 1 percent by the city, that will show a lot of support to these foundations,” Levy said. “El Pomar just recently donated $1 million to the new Tri-Lakes YMCA — that’s the newest facility in this area.”
With a swimming pool and two lanes, a separate pool for children, running track, racquetball court and gymnasium, the 45,000 square-foot facility will include YMCA programs for children, adults and senior citizens.
The building will be at the side of City Hall and extending to the adjoining Memorial Park.
“We think the center will be a great addition to our community,” Levy said.
In the push for the rec center, Levy and the committee feel that a recession might offer opportunities to save money.
“By all accounts we can get this thing built for about 10 to 15 percent less as a result of construction costs relative to a couple, three years ago,” Levy said. “If you believe we’re at the bottom of this economic downturn then it’s absolutely the right time to build.”
For the petition drive to be successful, the committee must collect valid signatures from 15 percent of the city’s 5,400 registered voters.
To present the idea to the public, the committee is host to a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.
“We need people who are interested in helping not only financially but in the petition drive and getting people to the polls in April and help marketing this process,” Levy said.
As a result, the committee expects to circulate petitions to seek the same increase from Woodland Park voters in the April election.
Plans include continuing negotiations with the YMCA in Colorado Springs, and initiating a capital campaign to raise $2 million to $4 million for the project estimated to run up to $14 million. The figure is a revision of the original estimate of $16 million and reduces the size of the facility designed by Christiansen, Reece & Partners architectural firm several years ago.
“There’s quite a big investment in this already, plans, contractors, everything has been selected,” said Neil Levy, who heads the committee.
Envisioned by residents who responded positively about a rec center in a survey, the project fell apart when the financial crisis hit the nation in 2007. The original plans hinged on the opening of Walmart, which was expected to bring a sufficient cash infusion to the city’s coffers to fund the center.
“That has not necessarily been the case — not because of Walmart but because of the nature of our economy right now,” Levy said. “Walmart has been a huge part of our economy, and without them we certainly wouldn’t be able to consider this.”
However, despite the downturn and an 8 percent reduction in sales-tax collections in Woodland Park, the committee is confident the bond can be retired in less than 20 years.
“The point is, that with the 1 percent sales tax we can pay off this facility,” Levy said.
If voters pass the ballot measure, the city would build the facility then lease the business to the YMCA to operate the center.
“That includes all capital improvements, so the city would have no responsibility once the keys were turned over to the YMCA,” Levy said. “The YMCA is a strong supporter of this facility because they feel this will be a successful venue and business for them in Woodland Park.”
While only registered voters in Woodland Park will decide the issue via the ballot box, the center will be open to all Teller County residents.
Woodland Park residents pay 6.9 percent in sales taxes — 3 percent to the city, the remaining to the state and county.
“A 1 percent increase would pay for the rec center, for a total of 7.9 percent,” Levy said.
A marketing point for the ballot issue is that about 50 percent of sales-tax revenue comes from people who live outside Woodland Park.
“So in a sense they are helping to build this facility for us,” Levy said.
The committee also plans to approach private donors and foundations such as Boettcher, Coors or El Pomar to seek grants for the capital campaign.
“If this ballot passes and we receive the OK to raise the sales tax 1 percent by the city, that will show a lot of support to these foundations,” Levy said. “El Pomar just recently donated $1 million to the new Tri-Lakes YMCA — that’s the newest facility in this area.”
With a swimming pool and two lanes, a separate pool for children, running track, racquetball court and gymnasium, the 45,000 square-foot facility will include YMCA programs for children, adults and senior citizens.
The building will be at the side of City Hall and extending to the adjoining Memorial Park.
“We think the center will be a great addition to our community,” Levy said.
In the push for the rec center, Levy and the committee feel that a recession might offer opportunities to save money.
“By all accounts we can get this thing built for about 10 to 15 percent less as a result of construction costs relative to a couple, three years ago,” Levy said. “If you believe we’re at the bottom of this economic downturn then it’s absolutely the right time to build.”
For the petition drive to be successful, the committee must collect valid signatures from 15 percent of the city’s 5,400 registered voters.
To present the idea to the public, the committee is host to a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.
“We need people who are interested in helping not only financially but in the petition drive and getting people to the polls in April and help marketing this process,” Levy said.
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