Community center focus of task force
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Councilors Don Gardner and Bruce Sargent will be considering the city’s options for a new community center, following their appointment March 9 to the Community Center Task Force.
Discussion began with City Manager Jim Bennett explaining to Council the status of the project and what needs to be considered if the plan for a new center is to go forward.
“Essentially, we’re trying to take a look at the community center — look at what was proposed, any changes that make sense, and any other kinds of things that would make sense (for such a facility), then come back to Council with a recommendation by the first meeting in August, allowing time for the city to act on a brownfield grant,” said Bennett.
Although site work has been done, Bennett said the “real blind spot” was the lack of consideration given to what else the facility could be used for.
The focus has “consisted of a Rec and Park facility,” but the recommendation was never made to include the “downtown community,” he said.
“There should have been more balance — see if more could be done with the dollars than what was originally discussed,” Bennett told councilors. Councilors’ initial discussions were limited to the construction of a rec center to replace the William Haskell facility on Main St.
Bennett indicated Sargent had expressed interest in being appointed to the task force.
“I hate to throw a rock in the gears, but I’ve been involved since the inception (of the idea to build a new rec center). I don’t mean to slight Bruce, but I’d like to see this through to enhancement. I’ve been working on this since its inception in 2006. I’d like to see it fulfilled,” said Councilor Don Gardner.
Bennett said there was no reason both councilors couldn’t be on the task force.
Councilor Emily Smith, who was not on the Council when the proposal first came to light, questioned if other options had been considered.
“It’s great to have a task force. The last time we talked about this, people have been working on a long time. We need to look at all our options — team up with UMPI with their track and pool, NMCC has a gym. There are other facilities in town (that are accessible to the public),” said Smith.
Smith questioned whether the city needed a community center in town or if “we can partner with others.”
“I’m playing devil’s advocate here. What can we expect for our money with a community center, or is there someone we can partner with in town?” asked Smith.
Council Walt Elish said he thought a task force “was a good idea.”
“I hope a task force will take all that into consideration, talk with UMPI, NMCC. I think all of it’s worth looking at,” said Elish.
Bennett said the venture comes with a hefty price tag — one he doesn’t expect taxpayers to pick up.
“The price tag is upwards of $10 million and can’t be paid by the taxpayers. It’s not supportable by taxpayers. We have to go back and look at other alternatives. It may require donations. If other facilities serve some of those needs, (then perhaps we) need to reduce the scope of the building,” said Bennett. “It’s not something we can just write a check for and do.”
Smith said she’d love to have a community center for Presque Isle but she wants “the task force to look at all the options.”
“We started this project the smart way, picking up a little land here and there (at the intersection of Chapman Road and Riverside Drive). That’s all set. If we can continue in the same manner, we may not have the total package, but we could do the rec center piece, then add on,” said Gardner.
With that, Council appointed both Gardner and Sargent to the Community Center Task Force.
Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on Monday, April 4, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate.
For more information, call 760-2785.
