According to the Friday Daily Sitka Sentinel the report issues by CTA Architects and Engineers estimates the cost to repair the Hames Athletic and Wellness Center at 13.5 million dollars. Sitka City Administrator Jim Dinley issued an executive summery of the report and concluded to also purchase the building and land 15 million dollars would be needed. It was noted by Dinley to build a comparable new facility would more than likely exceed 20 million dollars.
There is a good chance that the voters of Sitka will be asked to vote in October on a 15 million dollar bond to purchase and repair the Hames Center.
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5 comments:
If a bond for 15 million is passed that would cost each person in Sitka about $1764.70 not counting interest. Considering that less than 10% of the citizens of Sitka use the center I’d have to wonder if the expense was worth it?
At today's interest rate this could be Sitka's best chance to get a top level recreational facility. The annual cost to cover debt service is about equal to what many people just waste away each year. Put the priority in the right place and the bond issue will pass. I wish I was living in Sitka to vote for it.
Best regards, from Clyde
If it belonged to the city, more citizens might use it. Is there a viable alternative for Sitkans?
It would be good if a contingency could be put in the approval that the people of Sitka would get the contracts/jobs to refurbish the facility; thereby reinvesting the funds into Sitka & it benefiting the people instead of hiring outside contractors!!! Maybe you could head it up Marcel & get the contract,,,then we'd know it was done right :-))
Thanks for your kind words.
I agree that it should be done by a local contractor with local hire. If the bond issue passes and the city goes ahead with the upgrade I hope they are smart enough to hire a good construction manger that is independent of the contractor. That person would help keep the contractor honest, help spot unseen problems and in the end help reduce costs. Fred K. would do a good job as the on sight construction manger.
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