On the front page of The Citizen dated Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, the paper chose to run a letter by a Peachtree City citizen that brought about many inaccurate statements. The letter stated that one person (Dar Thompson) benefited from the proposed project. The writer went on to say that the proposed “recreational facilities bond” would cost the average Peachtree City homeowner $100 annually. Neither is true.

For the record, I am not involved with the ice complex. It is proposed that a company, Center Ice Inc. (of which I have no ownership) would be the company backing the ice center with a 20-year lease as well as 100 percent of their own operating cost. The writer is completely confused about the facts of my involvement and the cost to the citizens.

Yes, I am an advocate for the ice rink, as I feel that it will greatly benefit our kids and our community, as well as property values. Amenities and quality of life are huge factors in establishing home values and as with most citizens, I would like to see my home investment increase.

I would be more than happy to pay $2.18 per month to increase see my home value increase by three or four thousand dollars.

The writer is also apparently confused regarding the cost. The simple fact is that the average homeowner will only pay approximately $1.60 post tax per month or about $19.20 per year ($2.18 pre-tax per month or $26.34).

So that there is no confusion, there is a proposed fitness center on the site. However, all costs related to the fitness center are paid 100 percent by the tenant. There is no cost to the taxpayer for this portion of the project.

At the end of the day the fitness center is of great benefit to the city. Unlike other city-owned buildings, which the taxpayer pays for, the city will own a building, an asset, that it doesn’t have to pay for, an added asset at no additional cost to the tax-payers. Imagine that.

The bond will be used to build only the public portion of the complex. The cost savings in gas by not having to drive to two or more locations for sporting activities alone will more than offset the monthly cost of the bond.

For example, a mom with three kids can park the car once, go to the fitness center, while the children go to soccer, baseball, ice hockey, figure skating, whatever the sport may be.

Additional revenue to the city should be realized from the venue through the spending of patrons, increased home sales, and an increase in home values, placing Peachtree City back on top of the most desired cities to live in.

The heart of the complex will be the main ice rink that will seat up to 1,200 and will be the centerpiece for tournaments. When the ice is covered, it can provide an auditorium with a capacity of up to 2,200 people for graduation ceremonies, concerts, or other community-needed indoor activities. The secondary rink will seat 300.

Both ice rinks will be used to host at least four tournaments each year with anticipated attendances of 6,000 people per year, which is estimated to bring in gross revenues of over $1.4 million into the local economy.

The ice rinks will provide for youth and adult ice hockey leagues that will consist of competitive travel teams and house leagues. Figure skating will be offered for both youth and adult and will consist of ice dancing, freestyle, and pairs. The ice rinks will also be open for public skating, learn-to-skate programs, private lessons, birthday parties, special events, and corporate events.

In its entirety, the complex will serve our kids, our adults, our senior citizens, and many different organizations such as the Rotary Club and Kiwanis.

Upon the completion of Phase 3, the facility will house two ice rinks, four basketball/volleyball courts, two meeting rooms, a potential teen center, and 19 acres of nature trails, cross country, and jogging trails.

The entire complex will be an 180,000- to 200,000-square-foot facility providing a unique sporting and community venue for our city.

The multi-purpose covered field will provide much-needed access to indoor soccer and lacrosse as well as a venue for indoor graduation or other ceremonies for up to 1,000 people, something this area currently does not have.

The two meeting/banquet rooms will both be served by a service kitchen and could be used by seniors, Kiwanis, Rotary, or other civic groups.

A teen center is being considered and would be located above the banquet rooms. A location has also been allocated for a future performing arts theater adjacent to the banquet rooms. The performing arts theater is not included in this bond request.

With the anticipated influx of families from the Northwest/Delta Airlines deal, recreation of this type is essential to bring those families to Peachtree City. In fact, the Fayette County Development Authority has noted a higher increase of families moving to Georgia from the Midwest and the Northeast. These families are accustomed to their children having access to ice hockey and ice skating, and this complex will fill that void on the south side of Atlanta.

The south side of Atlanta is in need of an economic stimulus, and the addition of the ice venues will certainly help to lure those Northwest Airlines families to the Peachtree City and Fayette County area. Minnesota has over 300 ice rinks and many of these families will want to continue with this style of recreational activities for their children.

It is anticipated that adding a complex of this style to this area will allow more families to choose Peachtree City to call home versus Cobb County which does offer an ice venue. This should in turn increase home values and will increase home sales in the marketplace, something Realtors would welcome.

The Atlanta Thrashers, along with the Gwinnett Gladiators, have committed to holding some of their practices and mini-camps at this location. As well, they will run camps for our kids.

There is also an interest of visiting NHL teams staying in Peachtree City and using this facility for their morning skates before an evening game at Phillips Arena. The Atlanta Thrashers and the Gwinnett Gladiators involved in our community — what an opportunity.

All ages of Peachtree City life will benefit from this complex, from the very young enjoying the nature trails, through the active athlete, to seniors, as it will truly provide a one-stop location for the community.

Why vote “Yes”? For our kids, for our community, for increased home and property values, economic impact to local businesses and restaurants.

Please visit ptcsportscomplex.com for further information.

Dar Thompson

Peachtree City, Ga.

[Thompson has been a candidate for City Council posts in the past.]

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