More than two years have passed since the Fairfax County Planning Commission approved the county Park Authority's original application for the new Sully District Rec Center.
However, since the Park Authority recently acquired more land adjacent to the site, it incorporated it into the rec center plan — and the resulting changes must now also get the Planning Commission's OK.
John Pitts, who manages the Park Authority's design and construction projects, explained the changes during the Feb. 19 meeting of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee. The group eventually recommended approval of the new plan — although things got testy toward the end, when continued anger at the rec center's lack of a 50-meter pool again resurfaced.
Pitts said that the Park Authority had purchased 11 acres along Cub Run, to the north and east. Because of it, he said, "We're proposing to increase the square footage for both the rec center and the field house [being built next door to it]."
The $18.5 million rec center is part of what was originally to be a 200,000-square-foot facility constructed on 28 acres just north of Westfield High, bounded by Stonecroft Boulevard and Cub Run. The rest — a field house with a place for concerts, graduations and other events, plus a 200-meter track and other athletic amenities — will be built by a private party.
The additional land gave the architects more room for the entire project. Now, they'll be able to move part of the fieldhouse onto the new acreage. It means that the site is now 37.3 acres, and 54,000 square feet more may be added to the buildings for a total of 254,000 square feet.
Some 29,000 square feet would increase the originally 65,000-square-foot rec center to 94,000 square feet. And an extra 25,000 square feet for the originally 135,000-square-foot field house would increase it to 160,000 square feet.
The rec center will house two, 25-meter competitive pools, a separate leisure pool with slide, a whirlpool/spa, weight training and cardiovascular fitness areas, multipurpose rooms and offices. Also planned are some 5,000 feet of trail, with a stream crossing, plus concrete walkways.
Pitts said the extra land will enable the Park Authority to add more parking. It also proposes to keep the rec center open until midnight. Pitts said the Park Authority hopes to have an agreement for the fieldhouse construction negotiated by spring; the rec center is anticipated to open in July 2004.
People will enter the complex from Stonecroft Boulevard, and the rec center entrance will be on the upper level. That's where the 10,000-square-foot fitness area will be, along with offices for administration and community meetings. Downstairs will be the pools.
Concerned with the large number of Loudoun County residents who are expected to want to use the new rec center as well, since it will be so close to them, the WFCCA's Dick Frank asked Pitts if something could be done about the usage fees. Asked Frank: "Is there a way we can establish a sliding fee scale so that Loudoun County residents would have to pay a higher fee [than Fairfax County residents]?"
Pitts said that would, indeed, be done, but he didn't know any of the specifics. Then the WFCCA's Jim Hart made a motion for the group to approve the new plan and request that the Park Authority adopt a sliding fee scale. However, that's when hard feelings about the pool came up again.
"I have to oppose this application," said WFCCA member Carol Hawn. "I think it's shortsighted for them to only have a 25-meter pool." She said the Park Authority needs to learn that "when you show someone the possibility of a 50-meter pool, you should stick to it. I think it'll go down as one of the biggest planning blunders in this part of the county."
But at this late date, replied Hart, it's time to move on. "I agree with much of what you say," he said to Hawn. "But I think we're past that [now], and we're just supposed to determine if [the rec center] is in conformance with the [county's] Comprehensive Plan."
The WFCCA then voted 6-1 to recommended approval of the revisions. The Planning Commission was scheduled to vote, as well, on Wednesday, March 6.