BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGDALE -- After two council votes, a veto and an override, plans for a community center are far from settled.
A survey and outline of the features and costs of the four expansion options are included in the city's summer newsletter.
Mayor Doyle Webster hopes the survey will provoke comments from residents who have not yet voiced opinions.
He cautioned that the estimates included in the survey do not include financing charges, but do include construction and furnishing.
Residents should return the surveys to the city by Aug. 12 so council can review the responses at the Aug. 19 meeting, he said. The surveys were mailed last week.
Last month, council voted twice for two different options. After initially choosing Option 3, a $12.4 million plan that a features a two-story addition with a double gym, a running track, meeting rooms, locker rooms and office space, council repealed the choice two weeks later. It opted then for the more expensive Option 1, saying that it best fits the needs of Springdale.
At $13.8 million, Option 1 is the second-costliest of the four choices. It, too, features a double gym, running track and space for various rooms, but adds a third story and includes space for a batting cage.
Option 2 is identical to Option 1 expect for a longer track. Total cost would be $14.5 million.
A vocal proponent for Option 4, the least expensive at $10.1 million, Mr. Webster said things could change again if public opinion differs from that of council.
The mayor vetoed council's bid for Option 3 but the veto was overridden. He said he hopes to gain support for his view and wondered if residents really want to spend so much money.
Though in favor of Option 3, Councilwoman Kathy McNear said Wednesday she also supports fiscal caution and questioned whether residents are prepared to let the city spend the millions.
"'I don't think this is settled, and it can't be settled until we know what we are going to spend," Mrs. McNear said.
