Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
04 <br /> Kathryn Spatz reported that in 1999 the Chapel Hill Town Council adopted a resolution that <br /> established an advisory committee to work . with staff and a consultant to develop a conceptual <br /> plan for the aquatic/community center to be located in Homestead park . The charge of ' the <br /> committee included studying different type of pools ( lap pools , wading pools , side by side tanks , <br /> handicap accommodations and other options ) ; looking at needs of a community center including <br /> a gymnasium , meeting space, arts and dance space, office and other space needs . These are <br /> listed on page 137 Wof the agenda packet . On page 222 the Core Building needs are described <br /> with cost estimates of both the pool and community building facility . Spatz reported that there <br /> are two groups of strong advocates for a 50 meter competitive pool : lap swimmers and parents <br /> of kids in east Chapel Hill/Carrboro school systems who are on swim teams . People with special <br /> needs are more in favor of a leisure facility with zero depth entry and warmer water . The <br /> committee met with the Chapel Hill Town Council in October and reported on their findings and <br /> asked for the next step to be designated . The council had many questions . The Advisory <br /> Committee is scheduled to present answers to the council in January . However, in the <br /> meantime, the council suggested thr IP Work Group look at the work done so far . Strom added <br /> that it was recommended that the inter-governmental uses for such a facility be explored . The <br /> council is planning another public forum on this topic and inviting County Commissioners and <br /> Carrboro Aldermen in hopes that it will take the form of some type of inter- governmental facility <br /> to serve everyone around it. <br /> Discussion followed on available pool facilities in the County, including the Hillsborough <br /> Sportsplex„ what components make up a community center that unites a community, the need <br /> for co- locating community center with pool , the importance to serve the needs of the community, <br /> specific pool/ building designs to meet these needs, impacts , costs and potentials involved with <br /> different facilities . <br /> Commissioner Brown said that the IP Work Group 's charge is to look at joint planning , needs <br /> assessment. . Strom noted that Chapel Hill committed to a structure in Homestead Park and <br /> some type of public pool because of the 1996 bond . Dorosin said that this group is a two - part <br /> group , investigating costs , land availability ; share costs and benefits , then promoting <br /> intergovernmental cooperation becomes our responsibility to get each jurisdiction to see the <br /> benefits of sharing these issues to fulfill the goal of providing the best facilities of all the <br /> community . Brown asked if the 1996 bond instigates time restraints or could it be used for <br /> another location in the future with the intergovernmental potential . Strom answered that a <br /> particular time for ground breaking is not set as all the bonds are not sold . Open discussion <br /> continued in the areas of: considering school uses of pools, projected costs of construction , <br /> public pressure versus reality of the planning process, and opportunities for private investment, <br /> noted that the existing t$ 2wo million of bond money for a pool is insufficient and that a broader <br /> community-wide approach needs to be taken such as a Southern Orange Community Center <br /> drawing on a larger population base than Chapel Hill . . <br /> s . Plans for November 2001 Parks Bond <br /> Commissioner Brown reviewed the background information noting that the county <br /> usually puts forth school bonds . Three years ago the bond process expanded to include <br /> affordable housing and parks bonds . The previous $ 6 million dollar park bond is what has <br /> enabled us to start looking at the future, of being able to accomplish some things like <br /> establishing the Lands Legacy program . It is likely that the county will put out another bond , <br /> which is being driven by school needs . The commissioners will decide when to set up that bond . <br /> The timetable will probably begin in January with the committee working for three months . The <br /> usual model used for the bond committee is that : the membership of that committee is chosen <br /> by the commissioners with a wide range of representation ; then the committee will grapple with <br /> Last updated 01 / 11 /01 4 <br /> L : \Carol\IGPWG\IPWG12-7 -OOMinutesdraft. doc <br />