Rec Center question on ballot
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
THE FUTURE of Presque Isle’s recreational facility is up for discussion, come November’s ballot, with voters asked whether they support or oppose construction of a new building. The final decision rests with the City Council, who will use voter input to determine whether to build new or renovate the old structure.
Pictured with an architect’s rendering of what the proposed Community Center will look like are, from left: Chris Beaulieu, director, Parks and Recreation Department; Steve Richard, co-chair of the fund-raising committee; and Kevin Sipe, chair of the Community Center project.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — City officials are seeking public input on the future of the Recreation Department —specifically the proposed Community Center building and the existing downtown facility — with a question appearing on the November ballot.
Chris Beaulieu, director of the Recreation and Parks Department, explained the purpose of the referendum question is to give city officials a better idea of where citizens stand with regard to building a new center or keeping the old one.
“As the city evaluates what to do for their future community and recreational needs, the City Council has asked that a referendum (question) be placed on the November ballot to allow citizens to voice their opinions,” said Beaulieu. The question reads: “Do you favor the construction of a new community center to replace the current facility?”
A “yes” vote means a voter favors proceeding with the new Community Center project subject to fund-raising efforts raising a minimum 50 percent of the project cost. A “no” vote indicates a voter prefers repairs be made to the current recreation center to meet minimum health and safety standards.
To help educate citizens what’s at stake, Recreation Department officials have created a pamphlet detailing the reasons a new center is needed. Beaulieu said volunteers will be delivering the pamphlets, door-to-door, in an effort to educate voters prior to Election Day.
Beaulieu recently joined Kevin Sipe, chair of the Community Center project, and Steve Richard, chair of the Community Center fund-raising committee, at the William V. Haskell building to discuss the initiative.
“The brochure highlights the reasons a new center is needed. Once voters express themselves, that information will go to City Council, with the ultimate decision up to the councilors,” said Beaulieu.
“This is advisory only. A vote ‘yes’ allows us to continue the process, provided we meet fund-raising goals. If voters say ‘no,’ then something will need to be done to the existing structure,” said Sipe. “Either way, Council will know where we stand.”
Sipe said even if the old facility is fixed, it’s outdated for what’s needed.
“Fixing the building won’t meet the needs of the community. The (Haskell) building was built as a USO (World War II era). It’s not big enough to serve as a proper recreational facility,” said Sipe.
Beaulieu said repairs would only be a “temporary fix” and that you’d “still have an aging building.”
“If citizens say ‘no,’ we’ll still need funds to go into this building, although we won’t have a fully-functioning facility. I’m not sure fixing the building will solve the problems anyway,” Sipe said. “It’s been years since we put money into upgrades.”
Beaulieu said roof repairs have been needed for over five years.
“A prior request for roof repairs went to Council six years ago. Councilors decided at that time to look into replacing rather than renovating the existing building,” said Beaulieu.
Since that time, the city has purchased property at the intersection of Chapman Road and Riverside Drive, worked with the Department of Environmental Protection to determine the best use of the property, hired an engineer to design a structure suited for the site and established a fund-raising committee, with Richard and his wife, Lucy Richard, named co-chairs.
“Most recently, the Sewall Company was hired to survey the Haskell building and provide an estimate on repairs,” said Beaulieu.
“The roof needs to be re-done; that’s what started this whole thing,” said Sipe.
“There are a number of fire issues, including lights, fire alarms and egresses. The building is just not up to standards,” said Beaulieu.
Sipe noted the Main Street structure is not fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
“The exit stairs aren’t up to code,” said Sipe.
Repairs are also needed on the chimney, electrical system, ceiling and walls.
“They’ll have to remove asbestos to get to the electrical lines. There’s a lot of mold downstairs,” said Beaulieu.
Sipe said just bringing the building up to meet building codes will be a challenge and does nothing to address what the community needs are for such a structure.
“Size limits what we can do. There’s limited parking,” said Beaulieu.
Richard said he and his wife are prepared to move forward with raising funds once Council makes a final decision.
“Lucy and I are ready to start, when Council gives their approval,” said Richard.
“This (a new center) will be an enhancement to the community. We think it will be a big draw to have the Community Center. It will help keep young people here — give adults as well as children a place to do a number of activities,” said Richard.
The new facility is designed with specific areas designated for youth and senior citizens.
“It will have a teen center, an area for senior citizens. It will be a safe place to be with friends when not in school — place to stay out of trouble,” said Beaulieu.
“If it comes back as a ‘no,’ we won’t have the option to try,” said Beaulieu.
“It would be foolish to have fundraisers for the existing building,” added Sipe.
Sipe acknowledged neither prospect is without cost.
“It’s cost about half a mil (a mil is $1 per $1,000 in property valuation) to taxpayers to get to this point. Council has shown a lot of interest in moving this project along. They’re concerned with the economic situation and want feedback — get a feel from the public whether they think it’s (a new center) is important,” said Sipe.
The Sewall survey, according to Beaulieu, determined repairs to the Haskell building, built in the 1940s, would run upwards of $800,000. The anticipated cost of the new Community Center is $7,500,000, with city officials anticipating half can be raised through fund-raising, with the other half coming from taxpayers. The total taxpayer impact would be .8 of a mil, or 80 cents per $1,000 in valuation. If approved, the new facility could be a operational by 2015.
For more information, contact Beaulieu at cbeaulieu@presqueisleme.us or Sipe at ktsipe@gmail.com.
