City Commission considers rec center for west Ormond

Ormond Beach Observer
News

When it comes to future Leisure Services projects, the Ormond Beach City Commission is eyeing opportunities for the west side of town.

In particular, an indoor recreation center.

On Tuesday, March 22, the City Commission held a workshop on its ongoing parks and recreation master plan update, which is in its final stage before coming before the commission for adoption. The update, conducted by Barth Associates, identified needs of current and future residents to help the city to prioritize projects for the next 10 years.

And with no indoor recreation center within a four-mile radius of neighborhoods west of I-95 — the closest being Nova Community Center near The Trails — the commission was unanimous in its support to pursue building a new facility.

“I think something really fabulous needs to go out there to keep making Ormond Beach better and better,” City Commissioner Susan Persis said.

City: Pineland Trail isn’t ‘neglected’

Has the city neglected Pineland Trail since it took over its maintenance in 2012? City Manager Joyce Shanahan says no.

At the commission meeting on Tuesday, March 22, Shanahan was asked by City Commissioner Rob Littleton to speak about the road’s safety issues, and she said that the city resurfaced the road for $711,000 when it was transferred to the city. In addition, as part of Ormond Crossings, Shanahan said that Security First was required to reconstruct Pineland Trail from Harmony Avenue to Broadway Avenue. From February 2018 to date, the city has completed 15 stormwater projects.

Staff also reviewed the road last week due to public input.

“We cannot do public work on private property,” she said. “The Constitution of the State of Florida doesn’t permit us to do that. So we have to draw that line and sometimes it’s uncomfortable for people that are on the other side of that line.”

But, Pineland Trail residents believe the issues to their driveways stem from road and stormwater conditions, which are the city’s responsibility.

Partnering with the Volusia County School Board to build a facility at 2200 Airport Road, next to Pathways Elementary, an idea that was floated around in 2016, was brought up again.

But, like the last time, there was concern that partnering with the School Board would restrict the hours residents could use the facility, as it likely would only be open to them during the summer or evening hours.

“That’s not a good deal for our residents,” Commissioner Troy Kent said.

Thus, Commissioner Dwight Selby pointed out that the “bottom line” revolves around funding sources.

In 2016, the city spent $49,887 for a feasibility study, conducted by Zev Cohen and Associates, which estimated a project cost of $8.9 million to $10.2 million using the School Board site.

In 2017, listening sessions were held to gather community input.

“And six years from now, we’ll still be talking about it,” he said. “It’ll never be more than just a discussion item without a dedicated funding source to make these projects a reality.”

Commissioners were presented with three funding options as part of the master plan update: 1) Continue existing practices to fund Leisure Services, including impact fees, ECHO grants and CRA dollars; 2) add a dedicated millage for park and recreation projects; or 3) opt for a bond.

The first option is projected to bring in $11 million, the second $17 million and the third, $18.5 million.

Per the master plan update’s statistically valid survey, where 402 people were asked how much they would be willing to pay annually to fund leisure services projects, the majority of respondents — 69.5% — said they would be open to paying $12-$60.

A total of 41.9% of respondents said they would be OK with paying $61-$120. Only 21.4% said they weren’t willing to pay any additional dollars.

Though there are no concrete plans on what the indoor recreation center would look like, or what amenities it would have, Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin said the most important aspect is programming.

“[HOA’s] may have provided a community center in their community, but there’s no programming for children,” Carolin said. “... They’re having to travel to the Sports Complex or Nova Community Center for their programming, and that’s quite a distance.”

A facility comparable to the Nova Community Center would be ideal.

City staff estimated that a project of that magnitude would likely cost between $18 million and $25 million, especially if the city decides to purchase land for the facility, as construction costs have risen since 2016.

How much would that cost the average homeowner, should the city opt for a bond?

A 20-year general obligation bond of $20 million is estimated to cost $30 a year per household; a bond of $30 million would cost homeowners $45, according to the master plan update presentation.

Without a new funding mechanism, a project for the west side of town will never be completed, said Commissioner Rob Littleton.

“I have a vision of having all of our existing parks brought up to meet expectations with annual general fund revenue ... and the big stuff, like West Ormond or completing Nova and the Sports Complex, should be bonded out,” he said.

A workshop will be held in June to further discuss an indoor recreation center for west Ormond.