The proposed Redmond Community Recreation Center would be a great leap forward.

A 74,000-square-foot building, featuring two swimming pools, a high school size gym with overhead track, fitness equipment and rooms for exercise classes and more. Wow!

Still, it’s a big ask. We’ve been talking to neighbors and some would like to support it, but have doubts. Here are their concerns.

It’s too expensiveWe’ve heard rumors that with this and the new Redmond Police station going on the rolls, my taxes will go up $1,000. Is this accurate? Too see, look at the table below:

Facility Who Pays? Bond Cost Operating Levy Cost Total Average

The Redmond Recreation Center bond would cost the average district residence $126 per year, or $10.50 per month, while the levy would add $54 per year, or another $4.50 per month.

The new police station will cost city residents about $180 per year, or $15 per month.

These numbers are based on the average assessed value home in the RAPRD service district, which is roughly $225,000. This value is used by the county tax assessor to figure your taxes and is a lot less than what your house might sell for.

Redmond residents will pay around $276 per year or $23 per month, for both the rec center and the police station.

Redmond Area Parks & Rec District residents living outside Redmond city limits (look at tax bill to see if you fit this group) don’t pay for the police station, so their additional property taxes are roughly $148 per year, or $12 per month.

How did we get from $1,000 to $276? First, there’s a big difference between how much the county thinks your house is worth, and what a realtor will tell you. Look on your annual Deschutes County tax bill – it’s a lot less. Can’t find it? – look at redmondrecreation.org and click on “estimated tax impact” to find out.

Want to know exactly how much the RCRC would cost you? Follow the steps on the web site listed above and you’ll know.

Only seniors would use itTell that to swimmers who find the existing 1978 pool overcrowded, in need of major maintenance, with water too cold or warm for comfort. Tell that to adults who would like a safe place to walk in inclement weather, or enough gym space for their basketball league games.

Likewise, persons who use exercise equipment or classes, and can’t afford the private club costs.

If you want a complete picture of what the new rec center would offer, see redmondrecreation.org. We think it offers some thing for almost everyone.

Let the private clubs do itSome have pointed out that fitness clubs offer workout equipment, exercise classes, etc. So why duplicate this? We see it differently.

First, clubs don’t offer full-size gyms, swimming pools, rooms for a variety of classes and meetings and child care for users.

Second, given membership/user fees, clubs are more expensive. RAPRD can keep costs lower. It does this because it has three sources of funding: building the new facility is paid for by the bond, part of operating costs (staff, utilities, maintenance, etc.) is paid by the increased RAPRD operating levy and the rest of operating costs are paid by user fees (and in-district users pay less than out-of-district users).

Third, RAPRD is a not-for-profit organization. It’s heart is in providing services accessible to all.

For example, it has a substantial scholarship fund which helps limited income families enroll their kids in swim lessons and other classes.

ConclusionThis is the third time voters have been asked to approve a new rec center. We think it would serve the recreational needs of our growing community well, and at an affordable price.

In the end, you will decide. We hope you support it.