The Bismarck Park District held the first of three public input meetings Thursday evening, outlining proposed projects for the next 10 years, with a capital outlay of $25 million.

About 75 people attended the meeting held at the High Prairie Arts & Science Complex, formerly the Masonic Lodge, which was taken over by the district just this year.

Park Board President Dan Hovland told those in attendance that the community "is at a crossroads in terms of population and growth." Jobs, housing and demands for services, Hovland added, are growing dramatically, as are the demands for park and recreation facilities and programs. He praised the district for its efforts and the community for its support.

"We're here to gain some guidance on where you would like to seek park district operations move," Hovland said before turning the meeting over to district Director Steve Neu.

Neu explained that the district had seen dramatic growth in facilities and programs over the last 20 years, but most was put together piecemeal, one program or facility at a time. To maintain the present level of service to the community, which is showing signs of tremendous growth, the district staff have put together a list of projects that Bismarck will need as it grows the next 10 to 15 years.

The projects included such things as: upgrading of the Community Bowl and Racquet & Fitness Center; development of the fairgrounds with such things as an equestrian park and permanent rodeo grounds; development of the golfing opportunities; increasing the size of the High Plains center which is already at capacity after a few months of operation; building an indoor pool and aquatics facility; continued park development; land acquisition; increasing the trail system so it will eventually encircle the city; and improvements to the Schaumberg and VFW facilities.

Total cost of these capital improvements is estimated at $25 million, and the district has identified nine sources of revenue, including: an increase in the district's mill levy from the 20.6 it now receives to the cap of 35, which at present property values raises an additional $1.4 million a year; a bond issue; pursuing a portion of the city's 1 cent sales tax; increasing the hospitality tax from 1 percent to 2 percent; and private fundraising. The district is also looking at a public land dedication ordinance with all new subdivisions providing land for parks or cash equivalent.

The $25 million provides only for construction and renovation, not for the ongoing operation and maintenance, which will also have to be discussed. The second public input meeting, scheduled for Nov. 3, will focus more on funding, while a Dec. 1 meeting will look at operations.

The public input portion of the meeting, following the presentation, basically agreed with what was set forth by the district. There was a general consensus the projects and funding should be handled as a package rather than to continue to put projects together one at a time. People felt voters, if shown the value of the projects, would support them and vote in favor of additional taxes and bonding issues. There was some concern that - should projects be separated - there would be conflicts among the various user groups as they tried to raise funds.

Neu and others noted there had been some discussion of combining the Bismarck District with the Burleigh County District, which could streamline the process. Neu pointed out this would likely take time, though conversations had already begun.

The key to the projects, according to Neu, was to get the user groups and organizations to work together along with the city, county and school district.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com)