Editor's Note: According to City Clerk Andrea Kerr, already more than 400 people have responded to this survey. Be sure and take time to submit your own answers and comments. Link, and details of everything, in this story below that previously ran on Connect-Bridgeport. The survey ends May 6.

 

For those wondering when they would have a chance to provide input on what they would like to see in a Bridgeport Indoor Recreational Complex, here’s your chance. Recently, city officials released the link to an on-line survey of 17 questions regarding the planned multi-million dollar facility.

 

Although public input has already been acquired through various focus group meetings with the consultants involved with the project, the survey is open to anyone that wants to take the time to complete it. The questions on the survey range from the venues to be included in the facility, to issues relating with the funding as well as space to provide input on areas that you want included that aren’t addressed in the survey.

 

“The committee has been talking about the various questions that we would like to see asked in this community survey. We’re trying to generate as much public input as we can in this process,” said Bridgeport City Manager Kim Haws. “We know the feedback will help us determine what the venues should be inside the facility.”

 

The bulk of the early planning by the city group heading up the initial planning on the facility has involved public input. However, Haws said that WTW Architects has provided preliminary information of what venues such as this generally have on a regional basis as to “what kind of things make sense,” Haws said.

 

The survey is open to anyone, not just Bridgeport residents. Although city officials want huge input from Bridgeport, the facility itself will almost certainly take on a theme for hosting events in the city, the north central part of the state, statewide and even regionally.

 

To take part in the survey, click HERE. There are 17 questions and the process can take less than 10 minutes – depending on whether you want to provide additional input.

 

“Within the next few months our intent is to narrow it down to the specific sports venues and operations that we feel would be the best mix for the community as well folks from the outside,” said Haws. “The input from these surveys will help tremendously in that aspect.”

 

Even after the committee comes up with what it believes is the best fit for the complex, the possibility of ground being broken right after that is not only highly unlikely, but a certainty. City officials said it could be up to two years after July 1 when ground could first be broken for what could be a facility that will easily be in the millions of dollars.

 

The reason for that is that banks have indicated they would need several quarters of tax information showing a strong revenue stream before agreeing to provide the money to facilitate construction of the facility. On July 1, Bridgeport will enact a 1 percent sales tax that will produce an estimated $3.1 million annually that will help fund construction and operation of the facility. The sales tax addition is allowed as part of Bridgeport’s Home Rule status.

 

The complex will be situated near the existing Bridgeport Recreation Complex. The area where the building will be constructed is on a 28-acre parcel directly across from the baseball fields as you drive up the entrance.

 

Notice of the survey will be attached to an upcoming water bill and Haws said information may also be sent home with students at Bridgeport schools. The goal, he said, is to get as many members of the community to provide feedback as possible.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of City Manager Kim Haws, while the first screen of the survey is shown below.