At last night’s meeting of the Yucca Valley Town Council, council members recognized long-time employee Maureen Neely, who is retiring after 25 years of service. The council also voted to leave facility development impact fees at the same rate they’ve been at since 2013. The town received a glowing audit report of the town’s finances. Managing editor Tami Roleff says a good portion of the meeting was on the citizens’ advisory group’s report of the proposed aquatics center…
The Prop 68 Aquatics and Recreation Project Citizens Advisory Group presented its final report to the Yucca Valley Town Council last night. The group recommended the pool be placed east of the soccer fields at Brehm Park. Among the features of the center that it recommended are an indoor recreational pool, a 25-yard outdoor lap pool, a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, and a rehab room.
The project, as proposed, would cost $22-$24 million, considerably more than the $15 million remaining of the $22 million state grant. Two million dollars from the grant went straight back to the state for its administrative costs, and $5 million is designated for “soft” costs. While the citizens advisory group listed features that it said could be cut or downsized, it urged the council to find partnerships and other sources of revenue to make up the projected funding shortfall.
The main reasons why Brehm Park was chosen are because it is near the town center and is ready to develop, unlike other sites, which would require CEQA reviews. Several council members said they would prefer the center be built in other locations, such as near Essig Park or by the BMX park near Sunnyslope and Sage Avenue, that had more room to expand and was more visible.
In closing, the council heard a report on the results of its strategic planning workshops and online survey. More than 830 people responded. Top priorities were public safety, infrastructure and street maintenance and beautification, access to broadband Internet, and economic development.
