As a neighbor to Matchett, I support a recreation center in Grand Junction but I have a few thoughts about this project: I feel like this project design is outdated and is built for current residents of the valley not for the future and double the population. I like the concept design from 2014 that keeps some of the natural landscape of Indian wash and the desert to the north east. Access: Looking at the general layout of the plan, the primary means of access is by car which probably is correct however, I feel like more travel corridors (A spoke if you will) for walkers, runner, cyclists, e bikers, skates and other means should be a top priority. Trails along the canal connecting Horizon drive, Cortland, Ridge, Hawthorn, 28rd, 28 3/4, Navaho way, Darla dr, F 1/2, 29rd and the a trail on the canal to G road is a must! The canal are already used daily by hundreds of locals. Efficiency: The design of the building looks very nice and modern however, not practical for Colorado climate. Per the schematics it does not seem to be the most environmental efficient, or have thought about climate change. This one concept could make this facility pay its way in energy cost saving while also creating revenue to lower the financial burden to taxpayers. My recommendation is to build the building to exceed the International building code standards for Zone 2 of insulation/ R value of R60 +. Adding solar panels to the parking lots, entry ways and roof of the structure pays for its self in stable income. Adding Natural and LED lighting is a must. Adding passive hot water solar to heat the pools with the sun or using heat pumps will keep utility cost low. Other ways to save energy is to limit night time lighting and avoid light pollution towards neighbors. Desertification: The building design in general should be designed for our climate - the desert. The whole structure should have extended roof to limit sun exposure and provide a place to hangout out of the sun. Water: This new park should be water conscious, and lead the way in conservation. The grounds should be designed like the desert hills around it, zeroscaped should be the standard, artificial turf should be the norm. It saves taxpayer money, it saves maintenance costs, and it saves water. Amenities: The indoor concept seems really nice. Bigger seems better. One big red flag that sticks out to me is the climbing area. Per the diagrams, the area seems very small for the amount of use it could see. (With 3 other climbing gyms in town) my opinion is either make it bigger or get rid of it all together because it won’t be able to handle the use. Most rec center climbing areas are over used, under maintained and are managed by none climbers, making them decline quickly and not an attraction. Bouldering area is a terrible idea, lots of non climbers with lots of risk for little reward and tons of broken ankles. Seems like pickle ball court would be a wiser use of funds. Funding: I like the idea of sale tax and using multiple sources such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine taxes to fund this. Thank for hearing my thoughts. Hopefully you’ll implement them.

I fully support the CRC plan for Matchett Park. There needs to be space and time allotted indoors for pickleball in the winter. The current situation is untenable. Lighting is awful. Also, please consider adding outdoor courts at the new CRC. According to CNBC, the number of pickleball players will reach 40M by 2030. Please build for the future as it is coming fast!

The plan looks amazing and has clearly gone through an extensive process. I'm in full support! Providing a space in this particular area that promotes community connection and physical fitness is vital to Grand Junction's development and an excellent use of resources. The funding makes sense and is extremely reasonable given the value will have to the community. I've lived in a community with a rec center and the differences are astounding. This is exactly what GJ is missing!

I am very excited that GJ is finally pulling together a comprehensive plan for a long-overdue recreation center. It is a great benefit to all ages to have recreation, exercise, social interaction, fun, and community pride all in one place right on a bus route! Everyone wins! As the Communications & Marketing Manager for the Center for Independence I work to promote community solutions and to empower individuals with a disability to live independently. Accommodating people with disabilities is good for everyone and good for business. Everyone should feel included in their community. I hope that a comprehensive plan is implemented to accommodate those individuals in our community who live daily with a disability. As we age we are more likely to need accommodations. High contrast signage, lighting and Braille for people with vision impairments, easy surface transitions with contrast for sloping surfaces on the floors (and outdoor walkways) and wide doorways and corridors for mobility impairments, grab bars, accessible door handles/pulls, automated/push door buttons, a lift for the pool, age-friendly, captioning for any looping videos, etc. ADA compliant is not necessarily the same a disability-friendly. I hope our new rec center will be the shining example of what an accessible facility can be. Please reach out to Billy Allen, Director of Programs at CFI if you have questions about accessibility solutions; ballen@cfigj.org. 970-242-0315 / www.cfigj.org. Thank you.

Having lived and owned property in Highlands Ranch I like the idea of the rec center (or a couple smaller footprint centers). I do not like the extreme East city limit location being proposed. If there is only one large facility, I'd prefer it to be central maybe near Eagle Rim Park in OM or where the old lumber mill was by Las Colonias as Lincoln Park couldn't support a large facility. I believe funding needs to be tied to residency and not to items being purchased by citizens or visitors through sales tax or "sin tax". Also needs to be an option if County residence want to use the facilities either they can opt into pay via property tax, annual association fee, plus the fee to use the facility.

So you want to tax, Cigarettes, Weed and Property and sales taxes to build and operate this. Why not a Tax on Alcohols like beer, wines and spirits. This a tax on the poor.... going after cigarettes, sales and weeds consumers.... You wouldnt dare suggest a tax on wineries, or the breweries....because the big money in this town would rake you thru the coals. Increasing the cost of living with more taxes will directly impact the money spent on Season Passes to Powderhorn, or mountain biking, or dirt biking and jeeping and camping. thats what we do for recreation around here. Thats the reason we all moved here. A tax payer funded rec center is not needed or wanted.... That something you build in a town without recreation opportunities. Come on do better... we dont have shelters or trash cans and benches at the bus stops...........or bike lanes on North AVe...and you want to tax and spend millions on a Rec Center. No New Taxes... were already on the hook for a bloated police and fire dept.

About time, we always needed one of these, thanks!

I'm very excited about this project! The location is perfect. We've needed a community rec center in Grand Junction for a long time.

I am sad there seems to be no "art" component to the plans. I used to live in an area that also offered pottery classes for kids and adults in the rec center. I really miss these classes. There were kilns in a separate room. These classes were very popular and we paid above the annual membership fee for the classes and of course, for supplies. Everything mentioned in the plans for a future rec center is designed for physical activity, but I think it is important to tap into our creative side. There are very limited options for this in the Grand Valley. And classes that are offered do not cater to the working class. Thank you for considering.

PLEASE consider adding both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts. This sport has increased tremendously and the current courts are not sufficient to hold everyone who wants to play! And the sport is still in infancy, it is going to continue to grow in popularity. I believe that if you don't include it with the Rec Center you will soon have to fund a stand alone building shortly afterwards, so it would be a cost savings to simply include it with in this current building. AND it would be the only indoor pickleball court in Mesa County - much needed in the heat of the summer and cold of the winter!

See my comment July 21, 2022. NO MORE TAXES. A CRC must be funded 100% by CRC users (membership and activity fees). The community is filled with affordable recreational activities, and independent businesses that offer specialty items. If users want specialty items like "warm water therapy pools" - let them pay for it.

My family would love to see an archery facility considered. When I was young, we would use the parks for archery practice. Not hinting tips of course; just blunt tips and a practice target. Today though… that’s illegal. You have to either drive into the hellish desert, take a long drive to forest land or pay a private hole in the wall warehouse in Clifton. We have effectively been banned from practicing anywhere in the grand valley. So, how about a backstop like a racketball court at the CRC? It’s would be safe, cheap and popular with kids and adults starting or continuing their archery adventure. Now THAT would be “integrating the outdoor lifestyle” as your presentation states.

This has great potential for GJ and is long overdue. Thanks for all the work put into this and the great updating/communication. Good Work! Diane Birmingham

I would look forward to having a rec center in Grand Junction. Should have been here a kong time ago. I like the Matchett Park location.

Where does the $$$ come from to build the building, landscape. Is the city putting up cash to get things started before sales tax increase kicks in?

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the nation. Please include outdoor courts and indoor courts in the design. For funding, it is my opinion that it is punitive to add taxes/raise the price of cigarettes. Many people believe that is a good idea because they think it will help people quit. Nicotine is highly addictive and people who are addicted will keep paying whatever it takes. If we know anything about addiction, you need to help people quit by funding addiction treatment resources for that! Punitive measures (higher cost) absolutely does not work for addiction! I support a sales tax increase. That seems the most fair in my opinion. Thank you! Alecia Gordon

The sooner the better. The location at Matchett Park should be perfect! The children (all ages) in our community need more affordable activities, particularly those who are not able to be involved in organized sports. I trust this will be at least as nice as the facility in Montrose, and have a variety of spaces (possibly moveable walls for some areas for utilizing different space options when needed?) for various activities. Basketball and swimming, in my opinion, are favorites, but volleyball, dancing, and others are also greatly enjoyed. Volunteer (skilled) help can help keep costs minimal. We should already have a nice facility, as smaller communities around us do. A well-designed facility with outdoor options will be such a boost to our community. Renting out spaces for receptions, classes, etc., will help to generate operational funds. Fees are fine, but they should be reasonable so that anyone can enjoy the facility. Thank you to the committee working so diligently on this much needed project.

YES! Kids and Teens need something fun to do! Driving all the way out to Fruita is embarrassing for Grand Junction! It's about time! Can't wait!

A rec center is not only unnecessary but a blight on what is otherwise a beautiful oasis to walk the dog or go for a jog or a bike ride. The City should stop wasting money on entertainment venues, there are plenty of recreational activities provided by nature here and you are already building an unnecessary amount of "entertainment" with the river front. The City should rather invest in attracting businesses to the area that will create jobs at all skill levels. Tackle the homeless crisis. Create programs for temporary shelter and teach life skills to get out of debt and poverty and homelessness. Give people a chance to learn an employable skills and earn a living. Stop justifying your support for the drug epidemic by promising tax money will be put into Schools and then raising home taxes for that very same purpose. YES to keeping GJ affordable, to creating jobs, to creating community by catering to the less fortunate and giving them shelter, education, and employment opportunities. NO to this whole waste of taxpayer dollars. NO to raising home taxes (so many are already out-priced here). Just NO.

Funding: NO – increasing property tax Yes – cigarette, etc tax Yes – sales tax Yes: enlarge/revamp Lincoln Park Yes: something at Matchett

I moved to GJ from Littleton three years ago. A realtor insisted that a rec center was on its way! I had been spoiled by the South Suburban Rec Centers, especially the warm water therapy pool at the Buck Center, and looked forward to living near another facility. I had visited the rec center in Montrose, loved it, and envisioned a similar structure here. Despite my own favorable vote, there weren't enough of us to make the dream come true. As you know, neither of the rec centers in Fruits or Palisade have a warm water therapy pool. For those of us with chronic health issues, such a pool makes a significant impact on our physical and emotional health as it gives us the freedom to move about while getting stronger. We stay independent and healthier longer as a result. As GJ continues to try to attract retirees, such an amenity will be a big attraction. Certainly local physicians, especially Physical Med and Rehab docs and those in similar specialties, will support such a pool as well. Please give serious consideration to this feature. For all of my decades using sports centers, gyms, and similar facilities, I will also ask that any indoor track be flat. The few I've used which are tilted toward the center cause more knee, hip, and lower back problems than a flat track. Hopefully that fad has ended, and won't reappear. Thank you for all you do for our community.

NOT IN MY BACKYARD. NO MORE INCREASE IN TAXES OF ANY FORM OR KIND. Leave Machett Park as a nature park with all the wildlife and trails.

I love the multi-use design for the indoor courts. Hopefully, you can come up with some outdoor pickleball courts.

The design of the building looks very nice and modern, have you considered using bifacial solar panels to make up the canopy structure over the entrance? From the presentation it appears utilities will be about 10% of the operating budget and by combining solar with heat pumps for space and water heating the long term utility cost can be reduced and insulated from natural gas market price fluctuations. Another consideration would be solar canopies over the parking lot similar to the VA hospital, and several level 2 EV chargers. The IRA bill may have provisions for making these types of additions more affordable.

LOVE the design and consideration of what makes Grand Junction so great. I am a group fitness instructor with a particular interest in bringing affordable, accessible exercise opportunities to parents with young children who find it hard to find time to exercise. I currently teach an 8:00 PM class at the Fruita Community Center which is geared toward anyone who needs a spouse at home in order to leave for exercise. It's really not that uncommon for there to be a group exercise option at 8 or 8:30 pm and I would recommend perhaps adjusting your hours to include one or more nights that are opened later. Daytime fitness classes could also appeal to parents with children, though childcare can add an expense that may not work for some, AND it's just hard to work around naps etc. Utilizing those night-time hours for group fitness may pull in that middle-aged demographic: not seniors and not children.

I have ms & the only safe excersize I can do is swim. I love swimming at the aquatic center in Montrose ... but it's kind of far!

Please consider adding pickleball to the rec center both indoor and outdoor courts. Pickleball experienced a 29% growth nationally two years ago and a 40% growth nationally last year! It’s not expected to slow down any time soon. Here in Grand Junction, While it’s wonderful to socialize with so many new friends at the Pickleball courts we currently have, the wait times to get on a court are getting longer and longer! Help!!

Rec center is not needed, not wanted....the cannabis tax for the Parks should be used to maintain the crumbling park we currently have...not as a funding point to kick off the development of Matchette Park. The entre push behind this needs to be shut down.... we are surrounded by recreational opportunities, we dont need to place 70 million dollars of debt on the backs of tax payers for the next 30 years. The city sold Burkey park which is now a vacant lot owned by out of town investors. The economy is crashing into a recession and this sales pitch from special interest focused on making a buck off building this rec center on the backs of tax payers is what needs to stop.... it was bad idea in 2014 and its still a bad idea... the entire are is full of recreation....thats why a rec center is not needed and not wanted. The sales pitch given in the video is so typical of used car sales man. I hope you pick up on the amount of bull this dude is spewing.

What no pickleball courts. I guess ill have to wait until the next iteration when you listen to the public to vote for it and i wanted to so badly.

I wish there were outdoor Pickleball courts. There isn’t enough in Grand Junction

GJ Community Recreation Center First we would like to introduce ourselves. My name is Shaina Allmer and my Partner is Manuel Gomez. We are longtime residents of the valley and actually were born and raised here in Grand Junction Colorado. So true Natives would be one way to describe us. As children now to adulthood we have seen an unfortunate decline in our once bustling and beautiful city. As a Child and young Adult Manuel remembers businesses such as The Cabret and Chelsie's and we both remember The Rainbow Roller Rink. He was able to go to them all. As a Child I wasn't as financially fortunate as My incredible partner. I was able to go to the pool and the Rink on occasion throughout my childhood. However it was more oftan than not these activities were not things I was able to participate in very frequently due to cost. We are proposing a number of ideas but most importantly we feel it's crucial to make everything affordable, giving all people in the community not just some the opportunity to participate. We feel that certain additions to our GJ community recreation center are beneficial In many ways. The Purpose of our suggestions is to bring more variety ( not just access to outdoors) and options for families in the valley. We propose a recreation center like Fruita's with the pool, skate park, workout facilities, indoor ball courts and senior center, but better!! We propose the additions of pool tables/ possible game room and a skating rink(to double as a dance floor) that are accessible to the patrons. We feel it would be beneficial to also Possibly have an auditorium for plays and live entertainment. Definitely a kitchen for food sales and parties. Are just some of our ideas!! Once the center is built, for the The center to also host Dances and community events, such as movie nights and hosting various classes from educators on different topics like crafts, education etc. The center will help to spruce up and beautify our community that has seen an unfortunate decline especially on North avenue and first street. The center would not just help to bring life and vitality but more revenue to our town, and give the community more options for family friendly activities. The numerous activities in one location also gives families the opportunities to do and have different interests but still be under the same roof, where parents know their children are safe. All these proposed additions and amenities are beneficial in that they offer People a place that they can go and not have to deal with punks or drunks. A place that is safe and where they can spend time individually or with family. There is no place in town available to take your family to enjoy a game of pool or dance that doesn't involve a place that serves alcohol or a bar. To have a place to go to Dance or play pool void of such things as alcohol, and stupidity would be a breath of fresh air . Nobody wants our children or ourselves for that matter around it. This will be a recreation center that will not just benefit the young but the whole community ranging 0-100. These additions will benefit everyone, giving people more choices on types of activities and opportunities for families. Also keeping people safe and out of trouble! Grand junction needs to have family friendly entertainment! We have lots to do outdoors. But it's also sill only available to those that have the ability and financial means to do so. We would respectfully request a follow up. We are interested to see what you think of our ideas Respectfully yours, Shaina Allmer and Manuel Gomez

A community rec center would be nice. However, I would not support a rec center that required taxpayer support. Mesa fitness has great facilities and they don't get taxpayer support.

I love that this idea is continuing to be looked at. I think it is critical for our community to have access to a place where families can do more for their health. I also think we are in need of something like this (for quite some time now) for our kids of this community to be able to be a part of and would definitely add to a healthy outlet for children and adolescents especially! I think the space at Matchett Park would be a perfect place for this to happen. I would love to see a variety of activities. Montrose's rec center is wonderful! Plenty of space for basketball courts (4 or 5 if not 6, I believe), rock climbing wall, racquet courts, pool tables, walking path, etc. The extra additions and activities matter to making this a GREAT rec center. There is no where in town now that offers rollerskating or rollerblading which another neat option. There needs to be options for people and activities that appeal to our youth. I feel like the Fruita Rec Center, doesn't offer much extra for youth other than basketball courts and swimming. This is about investing in our youth and the overall health of our community.

I will not support a new CRC as long as the winter cows are no longer welcome at Matchett Park to graze through the winter, period.

GJ absolutely needs a rec center. But funding needs to be done responsibly. Leave the property taxes, mill levies, ect out. Those should be for schools, EMS, and the like. The longer the City takes to get marajuana dispensaries up and going is lost tax revenue. Stop dragging your feet and make it happen! Those funds can absolutely support the building of and maintenance of this rec center. As well as tax revenue from nicotine purchases. It’s beyond time for GJ to emerge from the 1980’s!!!

Any CRC should be built and operationally funded fully by Membership Dues and User FEES ONLY! No more TAX increases. If DUES and FEES can't cover all the cost – DON’T BUILD A CRC. There are plenty of activities for all in the GV and plenty of private athletic clubs and public venues to cover indoor exercise classes, swimming, training, various sports, etc. We don't need to burden everyone with more TAXES for the less than 20% of the community that will use CRC on a regular basis. City TAXES are up over 30% in the last 5 years (sales tax, property tax, elimination of TABOR) - when will it STOP!! The city has been pushing the idea of a CRC for years and can’t get support for it, let it go!

Would a commercial or catering kitchen and event space/patio to accommodate conferences, workshops, concerts, non-profit fundraisers, weddings, proms, memorials, etc., be cost-effective or income generating? The Matchett site is scenic and would lend itself to picturesque events. It could be managed through approved and licensed vendors for rentals, set-up, and catering.

I'm enjoying reading all the great points people are making so far in these comments. I agree that the Matchett Park location gives the most growth option, space and accessibility for car traffic. Building the larger option from the outset seems most prudent, not only for long term construction costs but also to optimize the public's experiences for longer into the future (not outgrowing the space sooner, as someone mentioned about the Fruita RC). Using multiple sources such as the marijuana and nicotine tax plus sales tax (which everyone including tourists get to pay) seems worthy and personally I like not having further property tax increases. Having a robust offering of activities seems a priority, rather than simply a pool and exercise room. I think the past efforts for a RC felt a threat to the private gyms as directly competing with them. By now, hopefully the message has been emphasized that a RC is not just a pool and workout gym, but truly a community gathering place, with a track, basketball and racquetball courts, childcare, game rooms for all ages, meeting rooms, casual gathering spaces, playgrounds, climbing wall, outdoor fields and so on. I want to highlight as well that our youth, our teens, could benefit from such a complex. It's exciting to imagine the possibilities and ongoing development of programming over time.

I will not be able to make it to the next meeting for the potential rec center so thank you Ken, for allowing online comments. I would love to see GJ finally have a nice rec center that everyone can afford to enjoy. I hope this will be a stand alone ballot measure this time. In my humble opinion, the main thing that needs to be considered is that the cost of services be affordable to all community members. I realize that funding is always the concern for things like this; however the city has excess Covid funds right now, don't they? Does our local government have a general tax fund that could be accessed? I know in some areas, there are other funds that are used to fund rec centers and that user fees help pay for it as well. You could charge more for non-locals too. What about accessing taxes collected for marijuana sales? It's time to think outside of the box :-). If you had pickleball courts, you could host tournaments which would be another revenue source. How about partnering with the hospitals or other big businesses in town? You could also have a shop that could sell small packaged snacks, water and sports attire. A coffee shop could bring in more revenue! You could rent pickleball equipment too. I feel that swimming pools are a priority for the new rec center and especially an indoor/outdoor pool. A gymnasium for a variety of sports would be wonderful as well with the ability to create indoor pickleball courts during the winter. At the Delta Rec Center, they have different colored taped lines on the floor of their gymnasium. Good lighting and high ceilings would also be a plus for the gymnasium. Outdoor pickleball courts would allow you to have pickleball tournaments with fees helping to pay for the rec center. A walking track would also be great on the top floor if it will be a two story building. An area for pool tables, game tables with a kitchen space (sink, refrigerator, microwave) would be nice for small gatherings. It would be wonderful to also have a craft room for classes. As you know, a community rec center promotes exercise, will aide our local economy, increases property values and gives children and their families an affordable way to recreate in our town, especially for those that can't afford camping equipment, bikes, etc. to explore and recreate outside. Thank you so much and your team for continuing to try to make a community rec center a reality in GJ. Your efforts are commendable!! Sincerely, Mariann Taigman

Learn from Fruita's mistake. The Rec Center there is too small. Rooms for exercise classes are overfilled with people wall-to -wall. There's no room to even just get into the classroom for some of the more desirable classes & times. And that's now, & has been the case for years. Imagine how much worse it will be with the future population growth that's predicted. It's a lot cheaper to build larger initially, than to go back & try to add on additional space.

1. Is there any end datewise to the various tax increase options, or will they go on forever? 2. Once the CRC is open for public use, how much will the city charge for someone to use the facility? Will there be different prices for city versus non-city residents? 3. Has this project already been preliminarily approved because there is chain-link fencing surrounding the property at Matchett Park along with a construction trailer parked on the lot? 4. When the CRC is operational, will the fees paid by consumers to use the facility cover necessary expenses, or will the city need to supplement funding on an ongoing basis? 5. Has the city taken into account how a CRC will affect business at local fitness centers?

Question: The plan above states the larger version would have additional components. Could you address what those would be specifically? The center will be used by all GJ residents so I think a sales tax increase is the option to use. Thank you!

I have attended both public meetings and added my input in person when I attended, as requested of attendees. The first public meeting at Lincoln Park highly engaged the public and one could feel the excitement in the room with the possibility of Lincoln Park being the chosen site and many good possibilities and options open for consideration. The second public meeting was much less engaging, as many decisions had been made by City administration prior to the meeting. I was personally very disappointed that Lincoln Park was no longer in the running as a possible rec center site. Not one single word was said about the amount of WATER the new location would require for each of the proposed facilities. Look around at our water resources. Don't the planners feel water might be a critical issue going forward? The chosen site off of Patterson Avenue will need safe and easy access by pedestrians walking and bicycle traffic through urban congested & difficult city traffic flows. Why wasn't this issue covered or explained? Who will pay for this necessary safe access to this location for citizens without private cars? Question: How can the City propose to use tax revenue from nicotine sales to support a health oriented recreation center? Does the City propose next to use revenue from Heroin or Alcohol sales to support drug addiction rehab centers? Finally, if we experience a new downturn in the US economy, BOTH plans and the millions of tax dollars they each require are going to be a very difficult sell to the voting public in the City. However, I'm sure you are aware of this.

I am in full agreement with the proposal for the Community Recreation Center at Matchett Park. Having lived near Matchett Park for 11 years now (Grand Junction for 30+ years), I've noticed that there seems to be a discrepancy in the level of commitment to our particular community. For example, any improved children's park in our area is overcrowded with families (ranging from infants to seniors), yet none of them have enough parking spaces or surface area to meet demand. Similarly, there are car accidents nearly every day near 29 Road and Patterson, but there has never been any root cause analysis or improvement. (Not to mention that there seems to be a blind race toward having an interstate interchange there). With a mix of low-income, white-collar, and blue-collar individuals, our neighborhoods are growing. A multimillion-dollar refurbishment in a different, older/established location (Lincoln Park) makes no sense given the level of growth in our neighborhood. The original ideas created for this project were pretty accurate in terms of the kind of public recreation that this community needs (walking trails, playground equipment, picnic shelters and shaded areas, a community rec center with a pool and exercise activities, a dog park, etc.). Having said all that, it would be naïve of us to ignore how counterproductive it would be to raise property taxes on top of a growing housing affordability crisis that young families and the elderly are already currently facing. There must be a strong commitment to finding the third-best answer.

Sometimes when I go to the Fruita Community Center I feel like they lacked a bit of vision for what the center could be. I don’t want to go to the Grans Junction Community center and think, they could have done so much more. As such, I’m in favor of the bigger facility - I know we’ll need it now and in the future. Although I like the idea of taxing nicotine products for this regime since I never buy nicotine products, I’m concerned about the instability of such a funding source. I would be most in favor of a small sales tax increase which puts the burden of funding equal to all residents. Seeing the difference in the plan being proposed now and the one in 2019 was really helpful for me to see how plans are changing to not require as much taxing. I hope this goes through!

I fully agree with Darby Coleman in saying that the larger square footage located at Matchett Park with a combination of Marijuana tax, sales tax, and nicotine tax seems the best way forward. If I had to choose between sales and nicotine, I would choose nicotine as sales is already fairly high but I hope nicotine sales tax is a declining revenue source. I do feel that going with the smaller square footage space would end up being a waste for all the reasons others have cited (overcrowding, lack of facilities available, needing more parks spaces built down the road) and that it would take GJ a very long time to ever do that so it would be better to take the initial hit and have a good space for everyone.

I'm in full support of the proposed 83,000 sf rec center in Matchett Park. This area of Grand Junction is severely lacking in walkable and bikeable recreation that supports wellness and a sense of community. Having a larger facility in East Grand Junction would also allow capacity to serve the broader Grand Junction community and balance the recreation options that exist in West and South Grand Junction. Grand Junction is so lacking in this type of facility that I feel it would be a waste of funds to proceed with the smaller sf option. Having a rec center that's so over capacity that no one can truly leverage it will ultimately lead to more money wasted on future, similar initiatives. While I would support any of the funding options on a ballot, my suggestion would be for a sales tax increase or combination of sales and nicotine tax to fund what's remaining after the cannabis funds. I have concerns that a property tax increase would not pass, given how much property values have already increased and the financial burden already placed on families with the current state of the economy. A sales tax increase would be minimal and would leverage tourists and those outside the city limits. I feel it would be easier to message and communicate to generate broad support. Though I'd support the Nicotine tax, I perceive a downward trend in that revenue stream.

A good community center addresses the needs of everyone, from Kiddos to Seniors. 1. A floor plan with "wings" of sorts to have rooms available for "rent" for different age groups, that don't overlap. "Quiet" areas. "talking" areas. 2. A large, or several small indoor playgrounds would be absolutely necessary. It's too hot for kids to play on the play grounds outside in the summer. Outside play grounds too. Whoever designs the playgrounds needs to keep the intense heat issue on the front of the design. (No 'black' colored railings etc. All slides need to face directly north). 3. Hand ball/ racquet ball courts would be awesome too. Both inside and out. 4. Assorted Exercise rooms. Rooms available for 'Jazzersize', yoga, pilates, etc. 5. Large rooms to "rent" with attached small kitchens. Maybe rooms that shoot off of a kitchen like a wagon wheel, design. When I quote "rent", I'm thinking that people can "reserve an area", but there shouldn't be a cost involved. Paying to use public facilities, is just not right! We shouldn't have to pay to use covered shade areas in our parks now, either!!!

Please use Matchett Park and please include dedicated bike lanes to get there.

There are many senior groups that play mahjong and card games once a week or more during the week days that do not have a place that can accommodate them at a rate that fixed income seniors can afford. I recommend that the new facility have several rooms available with chairs, tables and correct game sized playing tables for these type of activities. I also strongly support the comment about parking and the need for senior/handicapped seperate entry/parking area.

I am a 75 year old Mesa County resident of most of my life and I live 1/2 block outside the 29 Road GJ city limits. So I know I won't have an opportunity to vote on the Community Center but I am VERY thankful to be able to voice an opinion. I have watched other much smaller communities very successfully establish centers: Delta, Montrose, Fruita and I am dumbfounded as to why we don't have a place for people to go to swim, gather together, exercise, etc. that belongs to the city. I drive ALL THE WAY to Fruita to take advantage of the marvelous pool there. I feel welcome at my age -- I would not fit in in other places like I do there. Seniors find their own hours there when the school children are not present, at a time when we can be free to swim without the energy of young children and within the quieter setting of early morning and such. It's a wonderful place and I've been driving down there as long as that center has existed. I would be ecstatic to have a GJ Center at Matchett -- only 1 mile away from my house. Please do everything possible to bring this about. All ages do need it for so many reasons. But for Seniors to have a place all year round to get in shape, to meet with others, etc. would be quite wonderful. At this time, we have pretty much nothing. Carol Ann Niles, born in GJ 1947, away for a few college + years, back in 1977 and raised 3 sons here. I am a Kiefer - my grandchildren are 7th generation here.

Ideal building designs have a separate door near the handicapped parking area so non-disabled people headed to the front door are not as tempted to park there. Please include enough CLOSE handicapped spaces, based partly on your estimated attendance of seniors 65+ at any given time. That estimate is not the same as the number of handicapped people, but if you look at the ages of people exiting handicap-tagged vehicles, it's close enough. Please include in at least one staffer's job description the monitoring of handicapped spaces for violators, especially on weekends and special events. They could broadcast an announcement "Toyota license plate LCD 489 you are in a reserved space, please move your car" somewhat like "Your lights are on" without confronting anyone. I am disabled, often find others have taken all the handicapped spaces, and have never seen any kind of enforcement. Thank you!