GOVERNMENT/POLITICS A4 | OUR COLUMNISTS A6-7 | YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS A12-13 | HEALTH & LIFESTYLES SECTION B | BUSINESS SECTION C
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farragut
VOL. 5, NO. 16
APRIL 18, 2011
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See pages A10-11
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
There will be a community meeting with residents of Northshore Town Center regarding the design of the new Southwest Sector Elementary School on Tuesday, April 19, at 6 p.m. in the Northshore Town Center Park Pavilion. Knox County School Superintendent Jim McIntyre, Doug Dillingham and Lanis Cope of Cope Associates Inc. will be present. Some school board members may attend.
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Community center requires big bucks By Natalie Lester As the town’s budget talks continue, one large capital project looms large. A Farragut community center is an idea many support, but when the conversation turns to funding, concerns arise both with the initial costs and operating expenses. The town currently has no debt, but it isn’t clear how a project estimated to cost approximately twice the annual budget could be funded without incurring debt or establishing a new source of revenue. “For what it’s worth, a very successful community fundraising program would have to take place (for the center to be built),” said Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill during the Community Center Study Committee’s recent presentation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. “We would need to concentrate on that. When you look at our budget, you’ll see we don’t have the money for this.” The committee recommended $45,000 be included in the 2012 fiscal budget for a feasibility study intended to provide an objective view of the community’s needs. “The feasibility study is the next step before you spend a whole lot
of money on something the community may or may not want or need,” Parks and Leisure Services Director Sue Stuhl said. The committee hopes the study would be completed before the 2013 budgeting cycle begins. According to committee chair Jerome Miller, the study will confirm the town wants a facility with an aquatic center, a banquet hall with a stage, an indoor recreation area and sports gymnasium, and a multipurpose meeting space. The committee members estimate the 80,000-square-foot facility will cost $13 million. “The center should be visible and centrally located in the town,” said Miller. “It should also be built with room for growth on 10 acres or larger.” During the committee’s research, the members visited several centers including the Scaboro Center in Oak Ridge, the Sevierville Events Center and the Pigeon Forge Community Center. The facility in Pigeon Forge most resembles what the committee has proposed. It covers 86,000 square feet and was built in 2000 for $11 million. Its features include an indoor and outdoor pool, a gym with three full basketball courts, a wellness center and a bowling alley. There is also a space for the
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Honoring our volunteers Mayor Ralph McGill presents an award to Parks and Athletics Council member Pat Sloan for her 25 years of service at Farragut’s annual volunteer banquet. Photo by N. Lester
SEE NATALIE’S STORY ON PAGE A-3.
Wear Else!
It may have been his final meeting, but that didn’t slow down Alderman John Williams at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen workshop last Thursday. “I am not going to be around to make these decisions,” he said about the town’s capital investment program engineering projects. “And, as I look at these, I think more thought needs to go into them because the priorities may not be what they need to be.” Williams expressed concern about planned Outlet Drive extension and Snyder Road improvements because he felt the widening of Evans and Union roads were more important. “We’ve been a development-driven town, and I don’t know if we can continue that,” he said. “And, I regret the town may have to shoulder the finances as development may not pay for it.” Williams said he would like to see the widening of Evans and Union roads done sooner than currently scheduled. Money is not allotted for Evans Road until
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Mother’s Day Out program and other classes. Pigeon Forge Parks and Recreation department director John Wilbanks said the city, which is home to only 5,000 citizens, did not conduct a feasibility study before the center’s construction but did have a citizen advisory board like Farragut’s committee. “The feasibility study is a smart thing to do, but it is expensive,” Wilbanks said. “It gives the town a real objective opinion.” One may wonder why Pigeon Forge needs an 86,000-square-foot facility, but the city hosts 45,000 people every day because of its tourism. Farragut’s population is only half of that with the recent census reporting just more than 20,000 residents. However, Wilbanks said the cen-
ter pulls membership from Sevierville and Gatlinburg, so a center in Farragut may have the same effect in Knox County. “We draw lots of membership outside Pigeon Forge,” he said. “We have a tiered membership cost system where city employees and residents pay less than those who live outside the limits.” Still, membership fees at the center are much lower than other fitness facilities. Prices start at $100 annually for a family of four. At the Rush fitness complex on Lovell Road, members pay approximately $40 per month. Since opening its doors in 2000, the Pigeon Forge center has hosted more than 2 million visitors and generates around $700,000 in annual revenues. Yet, annual operating costs run around $2 million.
By Natalie Lester
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Community Center Study Committee chair Jerome Miller recently presented the group’s work to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Photo by N. Lester
Williams maintains opinions at last meeting
David Hunter on the origins of pink flamingos and other oddities in new book
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Finishing strong
That’s absurd!
EDITOR Larry Van Guilder lvgknox@mindspring.com
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Alderman John Williams cuts the cake at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s recent reception honoring his service. Photo by N. Lester
FY 2014, and Union Road follows in 2015. The improvements at Everett Road also prompted discussion. The board previously considered that project in light of a planned subdivision which has not been developed. Alderman Jeff Elliot asked Town Engineer Darryl Smith if he saw the most potential for development at Everett, Union or Evans Road. “Everett has the greatest likelihood, because the infrastructure is there,” Smith said, then, Union and Evans. I don’t see Evans happening anytime soon. That
improvement is not development-driven at all.” Alderman Markli agreed with some of Williams’ comments. Other than cost clarifications, there was no further discussion. Also at the workshop, the board heard the final presentation from USI Consultant Bob Cross. Cross discussed the town’s current plan, a defined benefit plan and Social Security with a defined contribution plan. Cross recommended a defined benefit plan, but the personnel committee recommended Social Security with a defined contribution. Town Administrator David Smoak said the board would need to decide at its next meeting. “It is budget crunch time, and this will play into a lot of other things the town needs to do,” he said. During its regular meeting, the board approved: ■ Three proposals for the Watt Road and Old Stage Road improvements ■ Gerry Gennoe’s request for reappointment to the Beautification Committee ■ An amendment to the Farragut Zoning Ordinance reducing the parking space requirements for retail stores larger than 50,000 square feet from four spaces per 1,000 square feet to 3.5 per 1,000 square feet.
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