Alborn: Option to Expand Chinn Center Remains, Why the Discussion about a Swimming Pool in a High School?

Explain this to me. As a Prince William County taxpayer, I just don’t get it.

In 2006, Prince William County Government requested that its residents support a significant bond issue to fund road improvements, park improvements, and new libraries. A well executed public relations program was conducted by the county to educate the public, and ask for their support on a referendum.

You may read the details in an excellent Prince William County Newsletter Special Edition: Information on the 2006 Bond Referendum Questions.

I’m interested in the Parks Bond Referendum at the moment (although I have asked Prince William County for information on the status on all three Bond Referendums that were approved in 2006: road improvements, park improvements, and new libraries.)

If you dig a bit deeper, you will find the excellent staff presentation given on June 20, 2006 at the meeting of the Board of County Supervisors where the proposed bonds were discussed. I invite your attention to the 2006 Bond Referendum for Parks, Item 6-W – Work session for the Library, Park, and Road Bond Referendum.

To summarize the presentation given to the Board, work begun on the Bond Referendum for Parks in 2002 when the then Prince William County Park Authority Board commissioned a Citizen Recreational Demand Survey. In 2003, the Board of County Supervisors adopted a Comprehensive Plan which set goals on how parks and open space would be used in Prince William.

2004 – 2006 Studies: We need more swim facilities 

In 2004, citizen focus groups were convened to identify recreation issues and concerns, resulting in a Strategic Issue Analysis. Also that year, the County Capital Improvement Plan was updated to include projected future park bonds in six year intervals. In 2005-2006, the Park Authority convened meetings with user groups to refine and update the recreational needs analysis.

MORE to the STORY: See seven-year-old documents detailing a planned expansion of the Chinn Park Aquatics and Fitness Center

The end result was “Prince William County needs to expand indoor Recreation Facilities.” It proposed to do this by adding on or renovating existing facilities where possible, and elected leaders were briefed with a design concept and plans to expand the Chinn Center Aquatics and Fitness Center in Lake Ridge.

The processes in developing the 2006 Bond Referendum was incredibly well done. It stands as an example of transparent budget.

The $27 million park improvement package was approved with nearly 76 percent of the vote. So, why do I suddenly care about the 2006 Bond Referendum for Parks?

Chinn Center Expansion Forgotten? 

I would like to know what happened to the proposed expansion of the Chinn Center? Why exactly are we talking about floating a new bond, or adding value to a proposed bond, to build a pool in the county’s 12th high school when we have authority to take on debt and expand an existing facility?

Why exactly are we ignoring the will of the public, and perhaps using this as a path to put the entire pool in a school conversation to rest?

The bond has been approved, and according to Prince William County spokesman Jason Grant, “A voter bond referenda allows the Board to elect to issue debt for up to 10 years from the time it is approved by the voters. So, all three of the 2006 bond referenda will expire in 2016.”

I’m sorry; however, the rhetoric I read regarding funding pools in schools from some of our elected officials and Prince William County employees reminds me of the “gang that couldn’t shoot straight.” People are lobbying for a new pool in a school when Prince William County already has the authority and the support of the community to raise money through a bond to expand an existing pool.

Why exactly does the Prince William County School Board want to get into the pool business when Prince William County Parks Department has the experience, the facilities, and the authority to raise money to expand?

2006 Bond an example of good public relations 

The 2006 public relations campaign to educate the public on Prince William County’s desire to raise money through bonds is a textbook example of good governance and citizen involvement. The 2013 discussion to build a pool in a school is perhaps, well, not so much.

As a taxpayer, I strongly suggest Prince William County Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart and Prince William County School Board Chairman Milt Johns to take a breath, take a look at not only the authority they already have to finance additional swimming facilities,but also the process used to gain that authority. The public voted (literally), and they want the Chinn Center Aquatics and Fitness Center swimming facility expanded.

Perhaps its time to give the public what it wants, and what it voted for in 2006. Stewart and Johns should also perhaps examine the process used to educate the public, gain its support for the 2006 Bond referendums, and eventually gain voter approval.

If the School Board plans to press on with plans for a pool in a school, perhaps there’s some lessons to be learned. Should the School Board decide to press on with plans for putting a pool in a school, I suggest that the public debate over the issue strongly suggests that the public should weigh in using the referendum process.

Explain this to me. Please.