Aug 30, 2008 - 04:06:41 CDT
Hazen voters in November will revisit the issue of whether they want to support construction of a new recreation and wellness center through an additional 1 percent sale tax.Voters defeated a similar measure in a 2005 June election, but in that instance, the sales tax increase was also tied to a bond issue.
In 2005, both measures were shot down by the voters whom project supporters were hoping would lay down the financial groundwork to get the project off the ground.
In that election, the project garnered between 42 and 43 percent support, falling short of the 50 percent support needed for the sales tax increase and 60 percent for the bond issue.
At the heart of the issue is Hazen's aging outdoor swimming pool, which has been like an albatross around the city park board's neck for years.
The pool is slowly leaking water, and the city pumps tens of thousands of dollars into repairs and maintenance annually for a pool that gets used about two months a year.
Hazen's neighbor to the west, Beulah, is in a similar situation and recently approved funding for a new outdoor pool.
The vision for Hazen is to have an indoor pool with a whole laundry list of amenities that could be added on down the road as funding and memberships allow.
The Hazen City Commission will put the issue on the city's Nov. 4 ballot.
Hazen already has a 1 percent city sales tax and, if approved, the second penny would generate an estimated $160,000 that could be used to help guarantee other financing, said Duke Rosendahl, executive director of Hazen Community Development (HCD).
Rosendahl said the city's economic development group has identified such a facility as one its top priorities for the future.
"From my perspective in economic development, it would be something that would put Hazen above other communities as a reason to visit or even move here," he said.
That has been one of the issues proponents of the project have been looking for since the inception of the idea.
With an aging workforce in the energy industry in Mercer County, there will be considerable turnover in jobs in future years.
Rosendahl said HCD has conducted surveys in past years asking what would attract new residents to settle in a smaller community rather than commute from larger cities, as many workers now do.
He said one of the top things gleaned from the surveys that people are looking for is the availability of recreation outside of the workplace.
In the past, the committee has worked with an architect on a basic plan on what would be included in the facility.
While there are no concrete plans so far, Rosendahl said the pool is the No. 1 issue.
Other amenities that have been discussed are things such as a walking track, cardio and workout areas, conference and meeting rooms, gym space and racquetball courts.
"A year-round recreation center is a big deal if you can do it. It really plays into the community development scenario," he said.
Of course, Rosendahl said, it all comes down to money.
He said the committee is beginning a major capital campaign, hoping to get some firm financial support.
Myra Axtman wears a lot of different hats as the Hazen Chamber of Commerce and CVB director and as a city commission member.
Axtman said one of the "add-ons," if it can be pulled off, would be to attract a franchised motel with convention facilities to piggyback on the project.
She said a big part of getting the issue approved in November will be to convince residents what the addition of a recreation center would mean to Hazen now and down the road.
"We're prepared to do a lot of hard work canvassing people and educating," she said.
But then again there is the money thing, Axtman said.
"We need to get the sales tax approved. Without that, there's not much point in going any further."
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