If Arcadia community center referendum passes, group has promised additional $12 million

A new fitness and community center located at the Arcadia Middle School could feature a running track, a large arena with three gyms, serving both students and the community at large.

Whether the $4 million renovation and expansion happens will be up to the voters through a referendum question April 3.

If it passes, the Ron and Joyce Wanek Foundation has agreed to give the school district $12 million to help with the expansion.

Superintendent Louie Ferguson said a decision to take it out of a referendum three years ago has handicapped them.

“I think the biggest concern when we’ve gone to the public meetings has been the operational costs,” Ferguson said. “How will this impact our pool operational costs to the rest of the district. Our revenues will match our expenses.

The tax impact would be $34 dollars per 100,000 dollars of property valuation.

Currently, due to lack of space, students are sharing the high school and middle school gyms, which Ferguson says complicates the scheduling process.

Key Facility Components

• Community gym (one full-size court)
• Arena (two full-size courts)
• Run/walk trail
• Fitness center (cardio and selectorized machines, free weights)
• School locker rooms
• Public locker rooms
• Studio (exercise/dance/meetings)
• Trainers room
• Storage space
• Reception desk/office space
• Community room
• Adult/children activities space
• Concession/vending
• Legacy Hall (pre-function space)
• Public restrooms
• School athletic space (gymnastics, batting cages, etc.)
• Public library (contingent on private donations)