(Atlantic) The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Board heard from the Quality of Life Committee regarding the community improvement study.
Dave Chase, Quality of Life Committee Member, told the Board that a lot of work was put into identifying priorities and two of the top three priorities are a splash pad and the pool – either renovation or rebuild. He said they need an expert opinion on how they go about putting price tags on those high priorities and then develop a plan to pay for them.
Chase said at the last Quality of Life Committee meeting, members were asked to go back their organizations and ask if they can kick in something toward the study.
The first phase of the survey will cost $12,000.
Parks and Recreation Director Bryant Rasmussen said he spoke with City Administrator John Lund and he said providing funding would not impact any projects they have planned for this year or next year.
Board Member Jolene Smith …
City Council Liaison Gerald Brink offered his advice…
In the end, the Parks and Recreation Board approved committing $4,000 toward the first phase of the survey.
Brigham Hoegh, with the Quality of Life Committee, spent time reviewing the Community Health Needs Assessment Results and the priorities that were identified during the Atlantic Area Community Improvement Meeting. She highlighted the fact that 34-percent of Cass County’s population is at or below 200-percent of the poverty level. Many people noted that they did not have transportation and they also mentioned that things like Y passes, swimming lessons and pool fees are high. The Parks and Recreation Board agreed that they do need to look into some programs that are more affordable. Jolene Smith…
Rasmussen said they are looking into offering some free nights at the pool and he has contacted some businesses to see if they would be interested in covering the cost and he has had five to ten that said they would be willing to help with that.
