Public input was sought for the proposed Yuma Recreation Complex during a question-and-answer event last Thursday evening at Indian Hills Clubhouse.
Approximately 50 people showed up during the allotted three hours, and reportedly provided plenty of valuable feedback.
It was hosted by the Yuma Recreation Complex Committee, which was formed last year. The board includes Kristy Rutledge, Deb Higgins, Ty Thurston, Dwain Weinrich, Arturo Moran and Justin Coughlin. Chad Rayl is providing assistance with his experience as an owner’s representative.
Representatives of the architectural and construction firms Perkins & Will and JHL Constructors, respectively, were in attendance to answer questions.
It was explained last Thursday the plan is to locate the facility east of the Jeff Armstrong Ball Park complex. An asphalt parking lot would be installed between the ball parks and the complex. Rayl said the committee currently is working with the City of Yuma on the location.
The early rough budget is $30 million, but the actual scope of the project will depend on public input about what it actually wants in such a facility.
Coughlin said a donor has pledged a significant of the project costs, and the committee is looking at other potential funding sources.
He pointed out the committee already has raised $40,000 to $50,000 from community members, indicating that maybe the community is ready for such a project. Those funds are going toward a $40,000 feasibility study that is not quite done yet.
It was explained that after the feasibility study is completed, more specific drawings will be done, and then there will be more public input events to help determine the size and square footage.
A consultant then will come up with an estimate for the annual operating and maintenance costs.
Committee members acknowledged that is going to be very important as it did not want to build a complex that could not be feasibly operated year after year.
Coughlin asked the JHL representatives if they thought Yuma was ready for something like this. They said yes but not sure of what scale and size yet.
Community member Paula Weaver asked if the project could be done in phases. Coughlin said they definitely are looking at that. The JHL representatives said that is how they are doing another recreation center project. Rayl said they wanted to get in as much of the infrastructure as possible done in a first phase so it would be in place for future additions.
A series of drawings were placed on edsels at the front of the room showing options of what could go into a recreation center — a lap pool and/or a water park type pool, indoor courts, workout areas, a track for running or walking, an area for such things as pool tables and foosball tables, a juice bar and more. Community members put different color stickers on the various drawings indicating which features were most important or not.
One can learn more at yumarec.org or on the Yuma Recreation Complex Facebook page.
