Friday, June 25, 1999
Friday, June 25, 1999 |
The latest Peachtree City recreation survey is history, and the results are mixed at best. “There was no clear mandate,” as leisure services director Randy Gaddo put it during Monday night's Recreation Commission meeting. Indeed, with 15 different categories on the survey rated from zero to four by each participant, the most highly regarded categories average slightly above two — below the department's own criteria for need of a particular service or facility. A total of 704 surveys were sent in by mail or through the city's web site, which Gaddo said was equal to about 10 percent of Peachtree City households. “That's a pretty good response,” he said, noting that 2-4 percent is often considered acceptable in these situations. But the commission was not very happy with the response or the results. Dan Wright pointed out that many of those who did take the time to respond did not fill out the survey completely, which can skew the results. “This shows there's not a big push to add a lot of stuff,” said Wright. The purpose of the survey was to identify and prioritize needed items included in the current recreation master plan. The commission also was looking at the results to help gauge the feasibility of passing a bond referendum for recreation needs in the city. Survey items were rated on the following scale: 4 — crucial 3 — necessary 2 — would be nice 1 — not necessary 0 — forget it When all scores were added up, the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater averaged a 2.39, while the proposed community center had a 2.35 average. The only other categories above an overall two rating were playground (2.06) and picnic (2.04). Other general categories on the survey included baseball, soccer, football, softball, gymnastics, basketball and tennis. Also listed were capital improvement projects such as an all-purpose rink and the Gathering Place, along with gazebos and playfields. The overall survey was split into two main categories — with or without the community center. The average score with the center was 2.13, compared to 1.94 without it. A few hundred general comments submitted by residents were attached to the survey results submitted at the Recreation Commission meeting. They were almost as diverse as possible given the number of people who participated. The most popular single item on the comment list was the possible purchase of the current Braelinn Baptist Church campus for an additional recreation facility. At least a dozen people said that was a good idea. But the other suggestions were all over the board, and many simply said that they had no desire to see any more of their tax dollars going toward the kinds of things listed on the survey. “I don't know anyone who has a warm and fuzzy feeling about a bond referendum for recreation at this time,” said commission Chairman Earl Spell. What complicates the bond issue is the fact that other needs in Fayette County, such as jail expansion and overall Board of Education items, are currently being considered as motivation for either a bond referendum or a sales tax hike, Spell said. If any specific item is placed on a bond referendum and then defeated at the ballot box, it cannot be reconsidered in this manner for at least three years, the commission reported. The commission directed staff to revise the priority list on the recreation master plan with updated cost estimates, including the survey results and items that can possibly be funded through the Public Improvement Program, to be submitted to the commission in August. An approved plan will then be forwarded to the City Council in September, with the recommendation that a bond referendum be considered in the future.
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