The present Woodburn Community Center is 50 years old. The City’s Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan states that the building is marginal in size to support current recreation programs. The Plan also notes a lack of adequate parking. About 25 percent of the building’s floor space is located on a second floor with no elevator. This ballot measure seeks to provide funds to replace this aging facility.

The City is proposing a 24,150 square foot building to be located on the corner of Front and Oak Streets. This location is immediately adjacent to the existing Woodburn Memorial Aquatic Center. The building’s floor plan will include a 7,500 square foot activity pavilion, commercial kitchen, 3,300 square foot activity room, three classrooms, rest rooms, changing rooms, offices and a central registration lobby. At least one classroom will contain a computer lab. All activity areas will be dividable.

Anticipated programs and activities at the Center will include: Willamette Valley Senior Service Agency’s nutrition program (Meals on Wheels); dance instruction for youth, adults and seniors; social dancing for youth, adults and seniors; and after school teen and youth programs. Other programs for which the Center could be used include: summer youth camp; arts and crafts for youth, adults and seniors; cooking classes; martial arts; and fitness programs for youth, adults and seniors.

The Center will be available for community use by local organizations such as service clubs, scouting and special interest groups. It will also be available for rentals for activities serving as many as 400 people including banquets, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, quinceañeras and other private functions. Community activities for which the building is designed include performing arts, shows, community education, exhibitions and conferences.

If approved, the ballot measure authorizes the City to contract a general obligation bonded indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $5,075,000 to construct and equip the Community Center, acquire property, construct and renovate parking facilities, and construct related improvements. The total cost of the Center is estimated to be $5,895,000. Funding for the Center will come from bond proceeds plus revenue from the sale of surplus City property, grants and local fund raising, and Park and Recreation System Development Charges.

In placing the measure on the ballot, the City Council determined that an amount not to exceed $1,564,200 of Park and Recreation System Development Charges would be pledged to pay principal and interest over the life of the bonds. The City will levy ad valorem taxes annually in amounts necessary to pay the remaining principal and interest. The bonds would mature over a period of not to exceed 20 years.

Submitted by,
John C. Brown, City Administrator