<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Kids utilize the back courtyard area, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at the Lynnwood Recreation Center. At top is the large roof frame over the pool which usually wears a tarp during the colder months. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Kids utilize the back courtyard area, Wednesday, July 30, at the Lynnwood Recreation Center. At top is the large roof frame over the pool which usually wears a tarp during the colder months. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) People walk from the main entrance, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at the Lynnwood Recreation Center.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, Copy editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

It's official: Lynnwood to get new rec center

• Bond, utility tax rate hike to pay for renovation

By Oscar Halpert
Enterprise editor

LYNNWOOD

Buoyed on by a supportive packed audience, the City Council Monday, July 28 voted 6-1 to authorize the renovation and expansion of Lynnwood's 30-year-old recreation center at a cost of $21 to $25 million.

"In terms of dollars, this is the biggest thing we've done in 50 years," said Mayor Don Gough.

The plan, which adds 15,380 square feet to the recreation center, includes a new aquatics center, locker rooms, weight room and cardio area and roof. Construction would start in 2009, with the first phase completed by 2010 or early 2011. Construction and financing for a second expansion phase has not been decided.

In approving the plan, the council decided not to go with a less expensive option to simply renovate the recreation center at a projected cost of $9 million.

Funding for the first phase, renovation and partial expansion, will come from a variety of sources, none of which voters will weigh-in on.

Those sources include a large loan -- via general obligation bonds the city will have to pay off over 20 years -- plus increases in utility taxes to service that debt.

Councilman Jim Smith cast the lone "no" vote, saying he realized his action would "go down in flames."

"I am not opposed to renovating the recreation center," he said. "I've been in this business too long to realize there are going to be some decisions people aren't going to like. But a lot of times I do what I think is the right thing. I think it's important for citizens to declare war on out of control taxes."

But Smith was in the minority this evening.

"I feel we need to make an investment in this facility," said councilwoman Stephanie Wright.

Ruth Ross said true leadership "Is equal to true representation" and the citizens have told the city they're ready for a revamped recreation center.

"We have been very fiscally responsible here," she said, adding that she is "amazed" the city doesn't have to draw on $1 million in money saved when it turned library operations over to the Sno-Isle Library Disrict after an annexation vote in 2006.

She said the plan to increase utility taxes is sensible because the city won't be raising taxes on essential items such as water, electricity or sewer.

"It's time," she said. "Thirty years ago, the vision of this city was strong. It's past time for us to renovate and expand the rec center ... civic buildings and civic facilities help to create a city and community."

Finance director John Moir said tax increases will pay the bond debt and that as the existing debt on bonds already issued is retired, that money will be available to the city beginning in 2011.