Facts
Western Elmore County has a critical need and the WECRD has made great strides in the last nine years to build a sustainable recreation facility that is affordable to all families.
The WECRD, a political sub-division of the State, is concerned in improving the health of Western Elmore County residents, whether that is learning a healthy active lifestyle, or sustaining good health through exercise or the rehabilitative aspects of exercise.
WECRD Facts About:
Families
- 7,600 households in the WECRD alone
- this does NOT include the rest of Elmore County nor the Mountain Home Air Force Base residents, nor the surrounding communities in Owyhee County and elsewhere who will use the facility
- 19% are minority families
Veterans
- over 7,000 live in Elmore County
- one of the largest per-capita population of veterans in the nation
Handicapped
- 17% of Elmore County adults aged 21-64 are disabled
Youth and Young Adults
- have limited options for recreation
- 43% of grades 6-12 spend 2 or more hours without supervision every school day
Seniors
- many have only outdoor walking as a health sustaining opportunity throughout the year (weather, dogs, and sidewalks permitting)
Population Has Grown in Nine Years
- 1000 new homes in Western Elmore County Recreation District
- Marathon Cheese processing plant built (employees 300 with a plan to employ 750)
Voters Have Voted - (Twice)
- Nov. 2000 general election
- Nov. 2008 general election
- Mollie Marsh won; Marsh’s platform was to build a recreation center with aquatics, debt free with accumulated tax dollars; opponent’s platform was to use money for small recreation projects and cut taxes. (3203 voters)
WECRD Facts/Accomplishments in the Past Nine Years; Positioning Western Elmore County to Build a Sustainable Family Recreation Center:
Land is owned
- 20 acres perfectly located within walking distance of 2,500 students
- Within impact zone of city of Mountain Home
- Contiguous to city limits
- Less than 1 mile from I-84 and American Legion Blvd.
- Across from Jr. High (site of future H.S.), H.S. football field and track, 20 acre outdoor sports park
- Less than a mile from significant shopping and medical care facilities
Financially Positioned for construction with saved revenue
- WECRD has saved over $1.1 M to date from tax revenues, all in anticipation of construction of a recreation center
- WECRD anticipates another $200,000 July 2009 in additional tax revenue this fiscal year. The FY2010, beginning October 1, 2009 could provide another $300,000 for construction.
- WECRD has been awarded $294,000 in Federal Appropriations for the project.
- Environmental Assessment in nearly complete for release of F.A.– monies can be released through 2010.
- 2009 Federal Appropriations will not be known until April 2009
- 2010 Federal Appropriations request has been submitted
- WECRD is audited annually
Revenue Stream Availabel to Insure Sustainability
- Annual revenue available could be $400,000
501-c-3 is receiving donations: Recreation Foundation of Elmore County
- Offers historical tapestry afghans for $50 donations at business locations
- Received $10,000 donation in January 2009 for construction of recreation center
- Governed by by-laws and Internal Revenue regulations; independent body dedicated to assisting the WECRD build a recreation center; membership is different from the WECRD Board of Directors
Site Is Ready for Construction:
- No demolition
- Surveying completed by Waite Land Surveying
- fill calculated (fill is available from same property)
- footprint designed
- According to the City Engineer, the water and sewer infrastructure is easily accessible and costs have been calculated
- Idaho Power, Intermountain Gas have been contacted
- Public Hearing held approving construction of recreation facility at site
- Land has 20 shares of irrigation water rights
- Land is spacious enough to accommodate a wide range of additional outdoor recreation
- To satisfy HUD requirements for the receipt of federal money the WECRD has completed a full Environmental Assessment performed by Bionomics Engineering. (Bionomics fee was reduced nearly 50% for the WECRD)
Facility is Designed
- Architect has worked with WECRD to refine an efficient design that implements suggestions by a broad range of community residents with varied ages and interests (significant hours and materials have been donated in pursuit of this facility)
Professional Operation Analysis Indciates Sustainability
- Family participation to sustain facility is 12% of Western Elmore County Recreation District
- Family memberships could be less than $40 per month
