PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Recreation Facilities Committee provided City Council with an update on plans for a new recreational center site during the Council’s Monday night meeting.
First to speak was Committee Chairman Kevin Sipe, who provided a PowerPoint presentation on the organization’s progress and visions for the Recreation Department’s future in the Star City.
“Our vision includes a facility where we can run multiple programs simultaneously, provide other activities beyond sports for youth, incorporate programs for senior citizens, provide a gathering space for teens and host various events such as voting, community meetings, educational meetings and health and wellness programs,” said Sipe.
The RFC’s goal, according to Sipe, is to, “create a community hub – a center for community activities,” said Sipe.
To do that, a new facility would need to meet certain requirements.
“We’d need a gymnasium of at least 5,000 square feet with the ability to divide and separate the gym and ample seating, a senior citizens room that they could call their own to hold luncheons and so on, an area for teenagers to gather for activities and after-school programs, locker rooms, showers, office space and a shop area for the maintenance crew,” Sipe continued.
Councilor Ron McPherson was pleased to hear talk of incorporating seniors into the plans.
“My mother is in a bridge club and plays at the Rec Center. Incorporating senior citizens into plans is a huge asset,” said McPherson.
Councilor Melvin Hovey aired his concerns over moving ahead with plans before the department had determined what, if anything, could be done to address needs at the indoor and outdoor pools. He wanted to know more details before plans went much farther.
“What I’d like to see overall is a long-range plan. I’ve learned the outdoor pool needs work. The indoor pool needs work – doesn’t have lockers and has open showers, which aren’t real desirable for some people. Some have questioned me whether we should keep or close either pool and what we’ll do with those properties,” said Hovey.
“I don’t want to give anyone the impression that I’m not supporting recreation. I highly support youth recreation. But from my own perspective, when we get to the point of picking locations, I’d like to know the total dollar figure of what it would cost to bring all the rec facilities up to date,” he added.
Discussion continued on the possibility of the new complex having room for a pool and recreational fields, in addition to the building itself.
“We’re dealing with this in two phases. One is to get the rec/activity center and the second phase is to get soccer and recreation fields, that sort of thing, lined up,” said Sipe.
Councilor Calvin Hall said it was time to address the pool issues, as he recounted a recent trip to southern Maine and the YMCA where he once worked.
“In my previous life, I was aquatic director at a YMCA in southern Maine. When I came to Presque Isle, the indoor pool was one of the biggest in the state. Now it’s one of the smallest, which, in turn, makes Presque Isle small by standards,” said Hall. “We used to be in the forefront, but now we’re slipping.”
Talk continued on the space needed to meet the requirements of the Recreation Department. Chris Beaulieu, Rec Department director, replaced Sipe at the podium, continuing the presentation by explaining the process of narrowing down site selections.
“We started with several possibilities but have narrowed them down to just two properties – nine acres at the former Fairview Acres location which is property owned by the city and 120 acres on the southern side of the University of Maine at Presque Isle that belongs to the campus,” said Beaulieu.
Beaulieu advised the Council on the pros and cons of both properties.
“At Fairview Acres, the pros include the fact it’s city-owned, near the middle school, its size, proximity to NMCC and potential for collaborations with fields/programs/facilities. The cons include the fact its not centrally located and, based on my personal opinion, there’s little room for expansion.
“The pros for the Houlton Road property include its size, the fact its highly visible, along the bike path, and near university with potential for collaborations with fields/programs/facilities. It has its negative aspects too, such as access, proximity to the Houlton Road, it’s not centrally located and not owned by the city,” said Beaulieu.
Councilors discussed the possibility of either purchasing the land from UMPI or coming to a lease agreement. City Manager Tom Stevens advised councilors that he’d met with both campus presidents and both men were being very cooperative and open to discussing the matter and what it would mean to either campus, should the rec department construct a building near either facility.
Beaulieu told councilors that the committee was currently looking at funding possibilities.
“We’re considering a number of funding options: grants, private foundations, borrowing fund-raisers and sponsorships, bonds and, as a last resort, an increase in taxes,” said Beaulieu.
Beaulieu said he’s already been in contact with Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office and Rep. Jeremy Fischer with regard to bond issues and getting money to start the process.
“Jeremy said he’d introduce the bond issue to the Legislature and keep us informed on that,” he said.
While the total picture is unclear as to what a new facility will entail – be it just the building or a pool and recreational field as well – momentum is picking up on the project. City officials have funding available to seek an architect’s input.
“We have the money to move forward with a request for qualifications – begin looking for firms/individuals with the qualifications to help us create a clearer picture of what we’re looking at,” said Stevens.
With that, the Council approved a motion to authorize the Recreation Facilities Committee to move along with a request for qualifications, with money already in place in the budget for such a purpose.
In other business, the Council:
• Authorized the tax levy and commitment date be set by June, 2007;
• Approved a Special Amusement Permit for Dancing and Entertainment for the Northeastland Hotel, 436 Main Street;
• Approved a malt liquor license for Capital Pizza Huts, Inc., d/b/a Pizza Hut, 814 Main Street;
• Approved a malt liquor license for Northern Lanes, Inc., 510 Main Street;
• Approved a malt and vinous liquor license for Tony and Sherry Sullivan, d/b/a Governor’s Restaurant and Bakery, 350 Main Street;
• Approved disbursement policies for 2007; and
• Approved consent agenda items from the Dec. 18 City Council meeting.
The next Council meeting will be held Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Sessions are open to the public and participation during the Citizens Comments portion is encouraged.
