The proposed North Potomac Community center will be put off by one year according to the proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Montgomery County Parks. However, very few of the approximately 20 speakers mentioned it at a public forum concerning the proposed budget.
The forum — not an official public hearing — was held jointly by the Parks Department and the Park and Planning commission. “[We are here] so that we can make the right choices and set the right priorities,” said Park and Planning Commissioner Derick Berlage.
Each of the speakers came to speak in favor of their own favorite project.
Some came in favor of all of them. “We are looking ahead with the CIP. We don’t think cutbacks are necessary,’ said Jim Erickson of the County-wide Recreation advisory board. Erickson pointed out that the CIP looks at projects to be built in fiscal years 2005-10. Since they are so far in the future, he thinks they should be left on schedule and can be adjusted if economic conditions do not turn around.
One of the woman spoke against any new construction.
“To not properly maintain the facilities is a disgrace,” said Judy Koenick. Parks money should be spent cutting the grass and patching fields that are already owned by the county instead of building new facilities.
The proposed North Potomac Community Center has been pushed back a year. The facility is not officially sited but has been recommended for an area adjacent to Big Pines Local Park along Travilah Road, and land acquisition is underway.
The 24,000 square foot facility had been slated for design to begin in FY ‘05, which begins next year. The new proposal calls for construction to begin a year later in FY ‘06.