LYNNWOOD
Saving money by simply renovating the city’s Recreation Center would amount to a “band-aid solution” that wouldn’t solve long-standing problems nor set the city on solid footing for the future, a consultant told the City Council Monday, Jan. 7.
“All of the issues that exist with that recreation center would still exist,” architect Keith Comes said during the council’s two-hour review of phasing options.
The city is considering Comes’ proposals for improvements to the 30-year-old recreation center, part of a municipal campus on 44th Avenue West that includes Fire Station 15, the North Administration Building — or NAB — City Hall and the library.
Options basically include renovation without expansion, renovation and expansion, as well as some options for building a free-standing site somewhere else.
The city in 2004 considered building a combination recreation and community center at six locations as part of a feasibility study. Those locations, which included Wilcox Park along with the former Scriber Lake High School and an adjacent 18-acre parcel, are no longer available.
In December, city staff presented the council with a series of renovation-only options with price tags ranging from $14.8 to $15.9 million for a basic project to $21 to $24 million for the “full package” that would include new aquatics features and convert one of four racquetball courts to a daycare facility. Staff also offered four expansion options ranging in price from $17.8 million without a gymnasium to a 79,000-square-foot, free-standing facility for $41.7 million.
On Jan. 7, Comes offered the council two newer, less expensive renovation-only alternatives ranging in price from $5 million to $10.5 million.
Lynn Sordel, the city’s parks, recreation and cultural arts director, said the city doesn’t see the new options as viable because if the center is later remodeled, “you’re basically tearing up what you did before.”
Council members had concerns about the cost, about potential environmental impacts and about disruption of service.
“Are we just going to close up shop until we get this done?” asked Council President Loren Simmonds.
“We would have to look at alternate locations for some of our activities, no doubt,” Sordel said.
Comes said a basic remodel would take 12 to 15 months to finish.
Councilwoman Lisa Utter said she’s concerned about potential impacts expansion of the center could have to habitat of a nearby stream.
Councilwoman Ruth Ross said she’s worried about financing. “I just don’t know how we’re going to be able to tap our citizens for $350 a year in taxes,” she said.
The city plans to incorporate environmentally sustainable building practices into any renovation or remodeling, though just how much is open for discussion. Councilman Mark Smith said he’d like a renovated recreation center that meets the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building standard.
The council will examine costs and possible financing options at its Jan. 22 work session.
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