Letter to the Editor: Not worth funding in its current form
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
To the Editor:
The cost of Prop 1 per taxpayer will be equivalent of a membership up to $400+ in a luxury facility. Let those who want that kind of facility to join already existing facilities. Government projects rarely come in on time or on budget and this one won’t either. Plus, the $103.6 million price does not allow for cost overruns and for the cost of maintenance.
The current Senior Center has over 12,000 square feet of space. It is dedicated space for all the amazing support provided for both LFP and Shoreline Senior citizens. In the new community center, the seniors will only have 6000 square feet that includes a commercial kitchen. Also, it will not be dedicated, but prioritized. What does that mean? In the latest flyer the city sent out about our new community center it says:” Having this prioritized space in the same building [as the other facilities] has the potential to provide space to expand senior programs…. Figure out the math. How can the Senior Center expand anything with half the space that they now have?
If you read the actual data from the Shoreline web site, the voters responded to the council’s survey that parks were the majority favorite, not a pool or rec center, by over 70%. This is probably why the Parks and Rec Center and Pool are together in Prop 1 – to make sure they can get the votes. It’s important that all voters do your homework. Do not be fooled by the newsletter or subsequent election mailings slanted toward approval. I went to the website and several meetings. I don’t believe this project is worth funding in its current form. There are more affordable options.
Ginny Scantlebury
Shoreline
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2 comments:
There is a little flaw in your argument about the levy being the same as a yearly fee for a "luxury" athletic club. Just a quick google search shows me Columbia Athletic Club - not really considered luxury but not 24-hour fitness either - is $150 per month for an individual membership that includes pool access. Additionally, there is a joining fee (not listed online). That works out to $1,800 per year, a difference of $1,400 from your quote.
Actually, commenter, your math is also lacking because you are not counting the $862 fee for the Shoreline pool annual membership (membership is not included with the levy!). The real difference is $438 if you choose to have a YMCA club membership, or $400 a year to have the privilege of paying $862 additional for a Shoreline Pool membership.
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