Lynnwood plans new recreaction center

LYNNWOOD — The city plans to refurbish and rebuild its 32-year-old recreation center and pay for the cost with a combination of higher taxes and fees.

The project is expected to cost $22 million, although the Lynn­wood City Council imposed a cap of $25.5 million on the cost.

“We hope we can capitalize on the market and get this project out to bid in the next nine months and, perhaps, see a little bit of a cost savings,” said Lynn Sordel, the city’s recreation, parks and cultural affairs director.

The council voted last month 6-1 on the plan, with Councilman Jim Smith voting against. He had argued that the council should have moved forward with a less expensive, $9 million to $10 million option that would have covered basic renovation.

“I think it’s time to take a leap of faith on this one,” Councilwoman Lisa Utter said.

Instead of paying higher property taxes, residents will see a 3 percent tax increase on cell phones, pagers and telephones that takes effect in early 2009. Those increases, plus new rec center fees and future savings as bonds are retired, will cover the $1.8 million annual debt payments over 21 years, said finance director John Moir.

A new 6 percent solid waste utility tax — essentially a tax on garbage pickup — will cover the higher ongoing operating costs of the facility, he said. The tax is based on gross revenues of Waste Management and Rabanco, the two companies that provide the service.

The new tax takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Plans call for rebuilding the recreation center, at 18900 44th Ave. W., in two phases. The first, which likely would begin late next year and be finished by late 2010, expands the aquatics area. It adds a lap pool, warm-water pool and hydro-therapy pool plus a separate family recreation pool with slide.

Other additions include remodeled locker rooms, a new roof, playground and cardio-weight room. Additions would add 6,300 square feet to the existing site.

The second phase, expected to be completed in the second half of 2013, would include a senior center area and other amenities.

Sordel said most recreation programs will be moved to other locations during construction in 2010. The aquatics area, however, will close until the renovated recreation center is completed in late 2010.

“We can move some of our activities to the senior center but we can’t do everything at the senior center so we’ll have to find another location,” he said.

Negotiations, he said, are under way to lease space next to the Lynnwood Convention Center in the former Longs Drugs site, which has been vacant since 2006.

Sordel said the recreation center may be a big-ticket item, but it will have a positive impact on the city.

“It’s going to employ people, put people to work, provide jobs,” he said. “We know it’s going to be an economic stimulus to the city once it’s finished.”