By the year 2010, Tyrone's population could be 6,000, nearly three times its current level.

With this alarming statistic in mind, Tyrone officials embarked last week on evaluating a five and 10-year plan for the western Fayette town.

Nearly 30 pages in length, the plans look at the town's current facilities and staffing and tries to estimate what the town will need to handle the upcoming growth spurt. Town manager Barry Amos said the town's most pressing facilities needs will be a new town hall, public safety facility and new library. These facilities were identified in the town's capital improvement projects earlier this fall, when the town passed an impact fee on new development to help pay for the projects.

Another area the town will focus on in the next 10 years is the number of recreational facilities in the town. The town has identified a new baseball field and soccer field as key elements in upgrading the town's recreation options.

In compiling the report, Amos said he studied other municipalities in the county to see how they adapted to the growth. As far as staffing needs go, Amos anticipates the police department growing from 10 full-time officers today to 17 officers by 2010.

The public works department would also increase from four employees to seven employees.