Bellevue wants new rec center

BELLEVUE — City officials are moving forward with plans to build a new recreation center. The Bellevue Community Center, 110 Cherry Blvd., was built in 1979. "The building is starting to show its age," said Amy Palsa, park and recreation director. "There's a lot of things that haven't been updated and there are bigger issues that are going to cost quite a bit to renovate. Just bringing the building up to standard, without any additions, is actually $1.9 million. Or do we start fresh with something that's going to fit our community better?" Mayor Kevin Strecker said the facility has outlived its time and the building's bricks have been compromised. Strecker said they want to reach out to the community to find out what they would like in a new recreation center. Palsa said they are planning to establish a committee to get more input. A study was just completed assessing the current facility and all of the upgrades it would need and the cost of that. "Just to fix the amphitheater would be over $300,000, Palsa said. "Putting that money into a new facility would be our best bet at this point. That's why we wanted the study to have numbers to back up why we're doing what we're doing." The new facility may not be here for some time, still. "I want to do what I can for probably a five or six-year plan to get a new center," Strecker said. "I think we could do so much more there with a new building." Strecker said they would likely put the center where it is now, or where the former hospital was, between the high school and middle school. "The original plans for the building were meant for a warmer climate," Palsa said. "It hasn't held up to the freeze and thaw of Ohio weather." The parks and recreation department's budget is made up of two 1 mill levies, in addition to any revenue it brings in. "One of our levies was renewed by voters in 2021 and the other will be on the ballot this fall 2022 for renewal," Palsa said. In 2021, the levies brought in $319,351 and the revenue brought in through programs, memberships, admissions, and such was $459,254, totaling revenue of $778,605. Palsa said they would apply for grants and ask for donations for the new center, but would likely develop a levy to put on the ballot in about five years. "If the community wouldn't support a new rec center, this building is going to have a limited time span," she said. "Eventually, the building is going to get to the point where we can't be in it. Then, we may not have a rec center here anymore." If the community wouldn't support a new center, Palsa said they would keep the current building until it wouldn't be able to be used. "We're such a small town and to have the facilities we have is very sought after in many communities. But if the community doesn't support it, that's kind of our fate," Palsa said. "We may have to rethink the way we do recreation here in Bellevue, and I would hate to see that happen." Palsa said the rec center is heavily used and is a huge asset to the community. "Our community has always been very supportive of parks and rec," she said. "I'm hoping they'll continue to do that."