Residents Add Their Input on Recreational Planning

By Erika Binegar
The Gazette
March 14, 2008

MARION — Blue and red stickers tacked to images of indoor aquatic space, outdoor sports fields and outdoor event space last night designated them as some features people here want in a new community center or recreation complex.

Kim Urbi, of Cedar Rapids, and her children Kerrigan, 8, and Brennan, 10, eagerly plunked blue dots onto a photo of indoor pool space that was propped against the wall in Squaw Creek Park’s Prairie Oak Lodge. Urbi explained they are tired of traveling across Iowa for swimming competitions.

“Cedar Rapids doesn’t have the facilities (to host them),” she added. “If we brought something bigger here, we’d see an economic boost.” The colorful stickers were used to gauge community input during three open house meetings this week held by Planning Lifelong Activities for You in Linn County — the Fifteen in 5 group charged with building a new community center.

About 243 people attended the meetings Wednesday and Thursday to learn more about the project and offer feedback. Those gathered Wednesday night at Hawkeye Downs talked of the need for more public indoor gymnasiums and programming, athletic tournament fields, an interactive playground for children and adults, and an innovative aquatic center — a need many agreed was highlighted during this harsh winter. People said the future center or complex should have a “wow” factor, should serve local needs now and in the future and attract visitors to Linn County, boosting the economy.

“I’m looking for the multigenerational, multifunctional center,” said Jeanne Brandes, executive assistant with the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “As interests change, to have a space that adapts is important.” Ideas proposed during the brainstorming sessions will help form conceptual elements of the complex and help consultants see a trend of what people want, organizers said.

“We think the greatest asset to Linn County is the people,” said Tom Saxon, PLAY in Linn County co-chair. “We want them to inspire us. We want them to tell us their needs, their dreams and their solutions.” More public input sessions are scheduled in June and September. A random survey to be mailed in April also will help organizers collect input.

Nearly three years ago, Cedar Rapids residents listed a new community center as one of 15 things they wanted to see finished in five years.

On Jan. 30, consultants from Williams Architects of Carol Stream, Ill., launched the nine-month planning process for the proposed center. By the end of October, results of the $120,000 feasibility study will be presented to government officials.