HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandouts_Regular_Citizen Com_05/28/2019June 18, 2019
To Our Fellow Tequesta Residents
Constitution Park and the recreation programs provided by our Parks and Recreation
department are greatly valued by Tequesta residents and are outstanding community assets.
However, many residents are asking for more. More includes, but is not limited to, expanded
programs for children and adults, the capacity to accept more Tequesta children into our
summer camps with a greater diversity of activities and a facility that enables offerings for our
residents young and old to occur simultaneously. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the
additional programs and services our residents have requested due to the limitations of our
current recreation building.
The Village Council is looking at taking the next step in process of the proposed
Community/Recreation Center, which is to engage the architects to finalize the building design
and blueprints to facilitate an RFP to contractors for the purpose of determining the method of
construction and clarify the cost. At this moment the architects have provided us with a
projected cost for construction of the new building at $5,500,000 with an additional $500,000
for architectural and project management costs.
We know a key question on everyone's minds is how the Village will pay for the new facility and
how will it impact taxes. Currently the Village is making the final 2+ years of payments on the
Public Safety building. The Council will have the opportunity in the future to direct these funds
to pay for the proposed recreation facility. Based on current interest rates the proposed
recreation facility could be financed over 30 years for the same payment currently being made
on the Public Safety building. Under this scenario the expectation is construction of the new
community/recreation facility would not increase resident property taxes.
The next question you maybe asking is, if the Center is approved, when 1.1--jr, the _--willit
be opened for resident use? The process leading up to final Council approval involves several
key steps. This includes but is not limited to review by Planning & Zoning, Council acceptance
of the final design and pricing, approval of a contractor and the negotiation of the construction
contract. Assuming this can be completed with a ground -breaking in 2020 we would anticipate
the Center to be completed and available for resident use in 2021.
A third question that people have asked is where the new Center will be located. Originally the
property on north Seabrook, known as Remembrance Park, was initially determined to be the
best location for the new Recreation Center. This decision was made in advance of the work
done by the Recreation/Community center Evaluation Committee, Negotiation Committee and
the Design Team and this Committee. While there was resident support for the new Recreation
Center at Remembrance Park it became apparent through resident surveys and conversations
that given a choice residents would prefer the Recreation Center to be located at Constitution
Park. This led the Design Team to reevaluate locating the Recreation Center Constitution Park.
The Design Team completed the reevaluation and unanimously recommended to the Village
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Council that the proposed Recreation/Community Center be built at Constitution Park creating
a Recreation Complex in a single location. However, Council is desirous of confirmation of this
preference and the question of location is included in the accompanying survey.
Included with this letter are the following items:
1. Community/Recreation Center floor plans. The first floor is designed and oriented for
programs for children and youth. The second floor is designed and oriented for adults.
2. Exterior renderings
3. Resident household survey
Once you have had an opportunity to review all the material, we ask that each adult member of
your household complete the survey and return it via mail, a drop box at Village Hall or by email
to .......... Surveys are due back by July 3, 2019
For residents who would like more information prior to completing and return their survey the
Village of Tequesta Community Development has completed a Needs Assessment that may be
view on the Village's website. Also, we will be holding Community open houses for on Saturday
June 22nd from 10:00am to 12:00pm, on Wednesday June 26 th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and on
Saturday June 29th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Additionally, you can view floor plans and
exterior renderings of the Center and speak with Parks & Recreation staff at the current Parks &
Recreation building anytime during normal operating hours, 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday
through Friday.
One last item of note should the Council decide not to proceed with the new Center the old
facility will require renovation to bring it up to current building code standards. The estimated
cost of the renovation is approximately $900,000. Renovation would not enable Parks &
Recreation to expand its programs offerings or increase participant capacity.
We want everyone's voice to be heard on this important Village initiative so please take the
time to complete and return the survey. It should take you no more than 5 minutes.
Thank you for your time and active participation in helping us provide the voice of the Tequesta
community to the Village Council.
Regards,
Community Center Advisory Committee
Frank D'Ambra, 111, Chair
Elizabeth Schauer, Vice -Chair
Chris Deragon, Member
Julia Woertz, Member
Tracy Kerwin, Member