Town Hall fields project questions

A proposed water recreation project for Clarendon was the topic of a town hall meeting attended by more than 50 people Monday night at the Bairfield Activity Center.

Clarendon Alderman and project steering committee chairman Sandy Skelton welcomed those attending and gave a brief overview of the opportunity before the community.

In July, an anonymous donor approached Skelton and offered $500,000 to the city for the purpose of building a water recreation facility for local kids and their families. Research was begun immediately, and last month the City Council appointed a 13-member steering committee to help guide the project.

City Administrator David Dockery discussed what the city has learned about water recreation projects in other towns. Communities have found these projects to be important community development and economic development tools, improving both the quality of life of towns and bringing in more business.

Dockery said Wellington reports 70 percent of the visitors to its water park are from out of town. Other communities report 50 to 75 percent of traffic is from out of town. He also said he expects a full project to cost between $2 million and $4 million.

“There is a huge need for community effort, and we are looking at funding from foundations and grant opportunities,” Dockery said

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) is one possible source of grant funds. Other communities have received 50/50 funds from TPWD in awards for water recreation projects ranging from $300,000 to $1.5 million.

“One hundred percent of funds raised will go to the single goal of a pool or water recreation project,” Dockery said, noting that sustainability in the short- and long-term will be prime considerations also.

The floor was then opened to questions from the public.

Question: How do we compare in terms of restaurants and hotels with the other towns that have these facilities?

Answer: We need more motels and restaurants, but if you build the traffic those things will come.

Question: What was the stated desire of the donor?

Answer: To build a waterpark for kids and their families to have fun.

Question: What liability will the city incur and have you looked into insurance and the need for lifeguards?

Answer: Based on other cities and information from the Texas Municipal League, the city can expect to pay about $2,500 per year for liability insurance for such a facility.

Lifeguards are based on formulas of either square footage or capacity. Limited workforce has been a problem for some towns because lifeguards tend to be high school or college students. Clarendon has the benefit of being a college town and therefore a bigger source of workers.

Also, along these lines, total payroll at the Wellington Aquatic Venue is about $55,000 for a 56-day season, so the facility creates some jobs. Wellington’s total operating expenses were $97,800 for this year; and that facility brought in $98,000 from gate passes, pavilion rentals, and concessions.

Question: Where will the money come from? Will taxpayers be asked to foot the bill?

Answer: The money will come from contributions, foundations, and grants. It will take a large effort by our citizens. But it’s encouraging that other facilities are breaking even.

Question: What locations have you considered?

Answer: The location near at Fourth and Kearney east of the Post Office is city-owned and is comparable in size to the area occupied by Wellington’s waterpark. It’s also connected to the city park. Other locations near the park have been considered. A connection to the park is important for a TPWD grant.

Question: Can the $500,000 from the donor be used for matching grants?

Answer: Yes. Dockery stated: “If all we can raise is $20, then we could apply for $500,020 in TPWD funds and have a $1,000,040 project. But whatever we can accumulate we would apply for that match to TPWD.”

Question: Are you looking at a three-month season or year-round season?

Answer: The longer its operated the more sustainable it will be and more unique it will be for Clarendon. It will also cost more to build. Everything comes down to dollars at this point.

Question: How much was the facility at West Texas A&M University?

Answer: We don’t have that figure. However, the City of Canyon is proposing a $6 million outdoor water recreation facility, and they have indicated an enclosed facility would have cost an additional $1 million.

Question: Are we giving consideration to long-term maintenance?

Answer: That’s what Mr. Dockery has been doing the most research on. Sunray has been in operation since 1999, so we have good resources, and we want to be prepared for those long-term maintenance costs.

Question: How will you raise the money?

Answer: Everything from bake sales, 5K races, and personal contributions is on the table. We do have some members of the committee who are experienced in fundraising and appointing a fundraising chair will be the next task of the committee.

Question: Will donations be tax deductible?

Answer: Yes. Audience member and tax preparer Don Smith said donations to the city, as a government, would be deductible or a separate non-profit could be established. The committee will determine the avenue for accepting donations.

Question: Will the donations be held in trust until the $500,000 is matched or expended along the way?

Answer: The committee has not given that direction yet, but all money donated will go to the specific purpose.

Question: Will the facility be handicapped accessible and suitable for the elderly?

Answer: Yes. We want the facility to be accessible and it will be required by the grant. It will be a community facility to serve all age groups.

Other public comments:

• Appreciation and applause for the benefactor and the goal, but concern that Clarendon needs more jobs and shops first. Perhaps do the project in phases as Clarendon grows.

• Noting that Clarendon has what many other communities do not, US 287 traffic gives us the edge if we have something for people to stop for. Do it right and we can have the best.

Committee comments:

Dr. Robert Riza – Consider the impact that 280 students on our college campus has on this community for nine months of the year. We can have that impact all year long with this project.

Johnny Floyd – If you have friends or others who couldn’t be at this meeting, encourage them to ask their questions of any committee member or Mr. Dockery.

Committee members are: Chairman Sandy Skelton, Vice Chairman John Howard, Secretary Roger Estlack, Johnny Floyd, Derlene Graham Gray, Sarah Hatley, Markeeta Howard, Walt Knorpp, Chris Matthews, John Morrow, Robert Riza, Jim Shelton, and Jerry Woodard.

For more information on the Clarendon Water Recreation project, contact Dockery at City Hall at 806-874-3438. Also be sure to “like” the Clarendon Water Recreation page on Facebook to stay up to date on project developments.