Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District held their third public meeting on June 28 to discuss the possibility of a new community center and upgrades to the existing park facilities to be possibly financed by a bond measure. This meeting was streamed live on Facebook for those who could not make the meeting.

TVRPD General Manager Michelle Vance said that the district has made a commitment to (1) listen to the community, (2) to make the project for everyone, (3) to stay on budget, (4) to make the project financially sustainable and (5) to make sure the project is feasible. Daniel Matoba of Barker Rinker Seacat Architects said the firm does more than design a community center. They produce a business plan to assure their community center is sustainable with 100 percent cost recovery including permits, furniture and other costs.

The District is proposing a possible bond measure of $43 million. Of that amount $27.9 million is budgeted for the new community center with the balance divided between West Park revitalization, the development of the Morris Park Sports Complex which will be able to house possible semi-professional baseball and upgrades to Brite Lake, Meadowbrook Park and Central Park. The 30-year bond would cost property owners approximately $39 per $100,000 of assessed value per year.

It has been determined that West Park, as it is already owned by the District, would be the best location for the new facility. TVRPD Board member Ian Steele explained that it is important to have access to fiber-optic cable, sewer, water and gas lines to minimize construction costs. Barker Rinker Seacat presented two possible plans for the new community center for public feedback. Matoba emphasized that they were just layout concepts, not plans.

Day to day operations of the new center would be supported by community and individual memberships and use fees. Annual passes for district residents will range from a Youth Pass of $16 per month to $63 for up to a family of six. Daily passes and 20 use punch cards will also be available. Non-district user rates will be slightly higher.

Both plan layouts included an outdoor lap pool, an indoor pool with a few lap lanes and a lazy river, a community room with catering kitchen, a multipurpose room, an early learning center with child watch, a gymnasium for basketball and a lobby.

"If we don't build it now, then when? If we don't do it, then who will," said community member Mary Beth Garrison.

Pat Doody

Possible community center layouts for feedback from meeting participants.

The fourth and final public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on July 19 at Aspen Builder Incorporated Activity Center, 490 West D St., Tehachapi.