Construction would grow the CAC from its current size of 61,000 square feet as part of the master plan process going back to 2017. Among other features, the CAC expansion would add more exercise space, including a new 5,300-square-foot cardio weight room and a gym addition south of the current gym. In addition, a new 6,000-square-foot indoor activity pool would be added west of the existing pool, 120 parking spaces would be added, and the second level of the CAC would be converted into office space with the track remaining for public use. In all, officials expect 16,655 square feet of renovation and 39,619 square feet of expansion.
Town Manager James Childers told council that it did not have any obligation at this point, and that staff wasn't "about to come up with a huge price tag, or anything in particular." Childers said the point was to have strategic conversations so that council is "aware of developments that are looming and strategies that are needed," and that staff and council should work together to prioritize and approach these areas.
Chuck Jennings, parks and recreation director, also discussed other components of the town's long-range plans, including improvements at parks. He also presented seven "future needs" points in a slideshow presentation, with each of the areas determined based on feedback received from residents, council and the parks board:
- CAC expansion;
- Twin Coves Park Phase II;
- Tennis Center Development;
- Expansion/improvement to the town's trail system;
- Western Recreation Center;
- Durham Ranch Recreation Area; and
- Parkland acquisition.
Jennings explained the city's parks and recreation mission statement, which centers on enhancing quality of life for residents by providing cultural arts, multigenerational facilities, nature trails, outstanding customer services, and parks and recreational services. He also discussed various data points, such as the town's 57 parks.
"For a town our size, that's a large number," Jennings said. "It's great that we have so many parks."
The city has 37 playgrounds in its parks, a splash pad with another on the way, 28 pavilions, 1,000 acres of parkland and 60 miles of trail, Jennings said. The city also has several projects that have started construction or are under design, such as Canyon Falls Park development and Peters Colony Memorial Park, as well as improvements to Heritage, Gerault and Tealwood Oak parks and the Chinn Chapel Soccer Complex. Projects for the fiscal yer 2022-23 year are Possum, Wilkerson & Cortadera Park Playground Replacement, Dixon Park improvements, the first phase of Bakersfield Park improvements, and the Glenwick Park restroom addition.
As far as the improvements on the horizon, Childers said recommendations in the long-range plan dated back to 2017 when the process was "more of a holistic thing." He said he suggested to Jennings that the city work in a more "a la carte" approach to prioritize projects, and said staff could work to provide phasing cost estimates for the different items associated with the CAC expansion and renovation.
