As a resident of Peachtree City, I experience the enthusiastic and progressive atmosphere all of us have created. Along with my wife and two young boys, we truly enjoy all of the amenities that PTC offers this community. With this new opportunity to bring ice sports to our city, it is important we all take the time to educate ourselves on the facts before we vote Nov 4.

To make sure the public is completely informed about the general obligation recreational facilities bond referendum, I wanted to outline the main facts. More details can be found at PTCSportsPlex.com.

FACT: Peachtree city will continue to retain complete ownership of the land and building, thus maintaining the asset and its equity to increase in value.

FACT: The average household will incur a $2.18 per month property tax increase; this equals $26.16 annually.

FACT: No additional operating costs or expenses will be absorbed by the city or its residents. All operational costs and expenses will be paid by the professional management companies.

FACT: Center Ice Inc., a professional ice facilities management company, has strong support and commitments from our very own Atlanta Thrashers and Gwinnett Gladiators professional hockey organizations to promote Peachtree City’s ice sports. This includes utilizing some of the ice time for professional teams. Center Ice has provided the city with cost and cash flow projections and intends to continue support through facility management.

FACT: With Peachtree City’s new AAA bond rating, the city will be able to sell bonds at a favorably low interest rate. This will reduce the property tax increase slightly.

FACT: In the unlikely event that the facility is not successful, the building could be used for other indoor athletics such as lacrosse, soccer, inline hockey, etc. The city could also sell the building, or re-purpose. Regardless, the cost to the citizens will never change.

FACT: Ice sports facilities are widely popular and continuing to multiply in many southern states. Texas and Florida each have over 30 ice sport facilities. Georgia currently has 9 facilities. Alabama also has a similar program. One example can be found in Huntsville (www.iceskate.org).

Our amenities and progressive thinking are a few good reasons why PTC is such a wonderful place to live. Let’s keep that spirit alive and vote YES for the recreational facilities bond on Nov. 4.

Chad Jaenke

Center Ice, Inc.

Peachtree City, Ga.

login to post comments