New Goodies (Alternate title: More bond referendums on the horizon)
Every year, the city comes out with a list of big ticket items they think the city needs, from new fire stations to parks to sewer lines. This year, there are quite a few new projects on the Capital Improvements Program that are listed as being funded by "unauthorized bonds."
That's code for "this project will probably be lumped into a bond referendum in the next few years." Right now, the plan refers to referendums in 2006 and 2010 and has $104 million in projects ready for funding. This doesn't include the $25-30 million in estimated costs to renovate the Coliseum's War Memorial Auditorium.
There are too many projects to go into detail, but I'll list a few and if one piques your interest, you can go to the source to read more:
Also, there are nine fire stations planned for the next referendum, some new and some replacements.
The council will vote on whether to accept the CIP as a part of their budget, but they won't officially set the 2006 bond referendum for some time. Kitchen has said he wants to wait until the November mid-term election to hold the vote.
Comments (2)
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Matt,
The Sportsplex hockey improvements are for roller hockey.
Right now the complex has two rinks but they are way below official size. Because of this, the facility is unable to attract regional and national tournaments that are such great money makers at other venues throughout the Carolinas. (Trust me, because I have hockey kids, I know first hand how much those tournament can mean to a local economy)
The proposal is to remove the two small ones and create one regulation rink using the existing rink components which are first class. The existing hockey space would then be converted in to even more volleyball/basketball space, or perhaps a rock climbing area.
The $450,000 (which I think is waaaay high) is to create a structural "clear span" space in the facility. That means they have to get rid of the four support posts that would otherwise be in the middle of the playing floor.
Personally, I think leaving the very substantial steel posts would make for some very interesting, albeit bloody, games, but the roller hockey regulations say they must go.
Posted on May 31, 2005 7:34 PM
Thanks for the info, David. I would also mention there's another $108,000 in the plan for new restroom facilities at the Sportsplex. From the CIP description:
"The old weight room will be converted into additional showers and restrooms. In addition, the existing locker rooms would be remodeled."
Posted on June 1, 2005 4:46 PM