Let's PLAY

By Tim Kenyon
Corridor Business Journal
May 5, 2008

PLAY in Linn County committee members are methodically seeking support for a new community center along with more baseball and soccer fields and other recreation outlets.

Co-chair Tom Saxen said a key to success is gaining support from the business community for a multi-generation community center and other new facilities throughout the county.

“We want to sell it to businesses, both organizations and their people,” said Mr. Saxen, a volunteer who retired after 35 years in the financial services field.

Consultant Mike Williams said the economic growth potential can be enormous. He used the example of a project his company helped a few years ago in Elgin, Ill. More than 1 million people visited the new Elgin community center in 2007 and subsequently used nearby businesses.

PLAY stands for Planning Lifelong Activities for You, and the group hopes to do so by promoting flexibility in facilities and an emphasis on wellness programs, according to committee co-chair Myrt Bowers.

Mr. Saxen and Ms. Bowers said outdated facilities are a problem. They include the indoor Bender Pool, the Witwer Center, used primarily for senior adult programs; and the 103-year-old Ambrose Recreation Center, which houses the city recreation department offices, space for youth sports, senior activities, cultural arts programs and rental use. Ambrose space is limited, for instance: The gym is only 35 feet by 37 feet.

Creating more rooms and space that could be rented out to generate revenue would be another segment of new facilities, they said.

That could also stimulate local businesses such as caterers delivering meals to birthday parties or other celebrations held in rental space, Mr. Williams said.

A new community center also could include a child day-care facility, a service in high demand in the Corridor.

Thegroup was formed to meet a goal identified in the Fifteen in 5 community improvement planning process led by the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF).

“To use a building metaphor, like any great building you need a solid foundation and this got started that way as a grassroots organization,” said Mr. Saxen. “And to become a PLAY committee member you have raised your hand to volunteer your most valuable asset, your time and effort.”

Mark Seckman, president of the Priority One economic group, and Barry Boyer, president of Van Meter Industrial, are two business leaders whose support is cited in PLAY promotional materials.

Mr. Seckman stated efforts to fill future workforce needs and recruit companies to the area count on offering “a full array of recreational opportunities.”

To gain points of reference to determine county needs, PLAY members researched the condition of current facilities, visited community and recreational facilities in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado and Wisconsin and attended seminars focused on recreational facility design and community center management.

The group is now being assisted by Mr. Williams’ company out of Carol Stream, Ill., which is conducting a $120,000 feasibility study.

Other consultants include Hall & Hall Engineers and Terracon of Cedar Rapids.

Donations to fund the study came from public and private organizations, including the county economic development fund, the city of Cedar Rapids, the GCRCF, Aegon and Van Meter Industrial.

Possible recreational sites, costs, funding options and sustainability are study focus areas.

“Everything has to be in stages and in today’s world people want to have proof there is need and what options there are, and that’s what we’re going through right now,” Mr. Saxen said.

Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau (CRCVB) Executive Director Tim Boyle believes the group’s approach will help gain more support.

“They’re on the right path by doing it in a pretty comprehensive fashion,” he said.

Mary Lee Malmberg, CRCVB sports tourism director, foresees much more economic potential for youth and adult sport tournaments with new facilities.

For instance, the Cedar River Soccer Association’s annual two-day April chill-out soccer tournament at the Tuma Soccer Complex in rural Linn County led to direct spending of almost $950,000 and nearly 1,100 hotel room stays in 2007, Ms. Malmberg said.

“The chill-out tournament is a prime example of what it can turn out economically,” she said. “We are facility-challenged — we don’t have enough youth baseball diamonds and youth gyms. I receive requests to host state, regional and national like events but we don’t have enough fields.”

The soccer and baseball/softball fields available often have waiting lists to use them or restrictions such as that at Tuma which only allows game use, not practice, she said.

This year’s chill-out tourney likely generated more local economic activity, she said.

Event director Craig Stump said 215 teams from Iowa and nearby states attended the 2008 tourney, 10 more than in 2007.

He added that local sporting good stores benefited from the cold weather as the approximately 10,000 people attending games bought more sweat suits and other warm clothing to wear for watching and playing the games.

“It definitely stimulated the area economically through visitor spending,” Ms. Malmberg said.

Ms. Bowers stressed PLAY will be complementary in nature to other community improvement efforts such as those in downtown and on the riverfront.

“We’re about augmenting and improving the quality of life. We’re working diligently with city leaders. It’s not us vs. downtown or the riverfront. It’s about how can we supplement each other,” she said.

Mr. Williams said a new community/recreational center and other outlets would not compete against the YMCA recreational facilities. Cooperative programs may even evolve with YMCAs, he said, as has happened in other cities.

Future steps for PLAY include more public input sessions in June, August and the fall.

A final report will be presented to city and county officials by late October or early November, he said.

Funding sources may come from both private and public partners. Mr. Williams said a local option sales tax could be another leg of funding following the success of the one for outdoor swimming pools a few years ago.

Construction and site costs of new facilities are to be determined on elements included in final plans.

Maintenance and long-term improvements may require subsidies, which is brought up in ongoing talks with city officials, Ms. Bowers said.

User fees will go toward operational costs, she said.