Individuals concerned that the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission’s (MCPARC) recent announcement of a potential new indoor recreation facility for that county would put a halt to plans for an indoor complex in Bridgeport can relax.

 

According to City Manager Kim Haws, he doesn’t see the recent announcement as anything that would stop Bridgeport from moving forward if everything goes as hoped.

 

“Certainly, we’re aware of the recent announcement, and we’re also aware that the complex we’re looking at addressing here is a community need,” said Haws. “It’s got regional and even state applications, sure, but it’s meeting a Bridgeport need first and foremost. With that in mind, what other counties or cities around us do shouldn’t have much impact on what we plan on doing.”

 

It’s important to note that MCPARC’s recent announcement doesn’t say that an indoor recreation complex is a done deal there. Rather, according to WBOY, MCPARC is “currently conducting feasibility studies using public input to see if the community would support the indoor facility. It also plans to apply for state and federal grants to help fund the project.” What that means is that they’re no further along than Bridgeport in what they’re calling a $3.1 million facility. At that price, it’s unlikely that it would include an Olympic Size pool, which is something Bridgeport would like to include in one if it proves possible.

 

“Whether they build one 25 miles away or two and a half hours away, it won’t matter. Sure, we have residents, particularly children, going elsewhere for tournaments, but those same kids would come here if we build a facility,” said Haws. “The reality is that if you built 10 of these complexes you’d probably have them all filled during the cold weather months and plenty of use at other times. There’s that much of a need.”

 

Haws was directed by City Council at its Nov. 10 meeting to begin the process of putting together a scope of what the complex will look like. A funding plan, particularly the beginning of escrowing funds, will also likely begin during the current fiscal year. And a site will be determined for a potential Bridgeport facility.

 

One thing working in Bridgeport’s favor is that they currently own a sizable piece of land at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex. Although it may not be large enough for the facility, land around it is available for purchase, which could make the process move much faster.

 

“It’s hard to say what it will look like, what it will include and how much land we’ll need because we have to finalize what makes sense for the community,” Haws said. “The complex is a strategic goal that was tasked of staff by Council. There’s been talk of it for years, but it’s never been this far along. Council, as I’ve said before, is dead serious about this and plans in Marion County won’t impact our thinking.”

 

Editor' Note: Top photo shows City Manager Kim Haws at the November Council meeting where he was directed to get the process started on an indoor recreational complex. The bottom photo shows the entrance sign to the outdoor recreational complex, where acreage exists for a potential indoor facility.