Rendering of proposed recreation center on DP Road. Courtesy/LAC

One side of DP Road is a blank slate; a plot of land with a purpose yet to be determined. However, if voters pass the Recreation Bond question next month, this parcel could transform from an undefined space to the site of a new community recreation center.

Conceptual designs for the recreation center propose that it include two gymnasiums, an indoor walking/running track running the perimeter of the building, team locker rooms and a multi-use arena that would house a half-year indoor ice arena and space for many other activities the other half-year.

The total cost is projected at $18,430,000, which includes a 25 percent contingency and construction escalation; and projected operational cost for the facility is $1,071,000, which does not include expected fees generated from usage of the ice rink.

The recreation center is one of five projects being proposed in the Recreation Bond. Other projects are improvements to the softball fields in White Rock as well as irrigation and turf improvements to Los Alamos Golf Course. The bond also calls for construction of two other facilities: a splash pad in White Rock and a multi-generational pool built at the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center.

According to the County’s website, losalamosbondprojects2017.com, ballot questions for the bond will be mailed out May 2 and the County Clerk must receive them by 7 p.m., May 23. Voters will be asked whether or not they approve of a $20 million general obligation bond, which would be repaid from property taxes. If this bond is approved, the County would add an additional $11 million to the budget by the end of this year from capital improvement project funds and transfer $2.4 million by 2019 from the permenant fund. The proposed bond is for a 20-year repayment period.

Recreation and Open Space Division Manager Chris Williams explained DP Road was selected as the potential site of the recreation center because of its central location for White Rock and Los Alamos, downtown location and closeness to the Canyon Rim Trail. Plus, the County owns the land so all these factors made the chosen site, “the most appropriate and cost effective,” he said.

If this facility comes to fruition, it would not have an impact on the operation of existing County facilities such as the outdoor skating rink, Williams said. The rink would run as usual.

While County Council approved in February to hold the special election, Williams said the idea has been discussed for a while.

“As I understand the community has talked for a number of years about this type of program,” he said. “As programs have grown and space hasn’t it was apparent this was a quality of life and community (issue).”

CEO Linda Daly of The Family YMCA said space availability has certainly been an issue at the YMCA and the proposed recreational facility would be beneficial in providing more space to youth and their families.

“The Y is excited … that there is a design or plan for an indoor recreation facility,” Daly said. “We would have an opportunity to provide more youth and family recreation programs. The Y strongly believes we would be an excellent collaborator and operator of such a facility.”

If the County should choose to partner with the Y in the recreation center, Daly said she feels the Y’s expertise and help could alleviate some of the operational costs for the center.

“We strongly encourage the County to continue to include the Y in conversations about the operation of the rec facility,” she said.

Daly pointed out that the local YMCA has partnered with municipalities in several other facilities including the teen centers in Los Alamos and Espanola.

“Ultimately, we, as a YMCA, are in the business of community health and wellness,” she said. “The more opportunity to become healthier and become more active, the better we are.”

The Y’s current facility, which features a gymnasium, climbing wall, weight room and other amenities is heavily used. Daly said the YMCA receives approximately 200 visits a day.

She emphasizes the YMCA is neutral on whether the recreation bond passes or fails but the organization does see a need for more indoor recreation based on feedback from its members.

“We’re excited because the need is being addressed,” Daly said.