Riga discusses development of South Sanford Recreation facility

Riga discusses development
of South Sanford Recreation facility

About 50 people attended the January 31 workshop meeting with Town of Riga officials to discuss proposed development of the South Sanford Recreation Facility. A proposal presented to the board in late 2005 called for phased-in development of the site to include new soccer and baseball fields, bathrooms, a concession building, maintenance building, parking and landscaping.

Tom Carpenter, of Chatfield Engineers, presented the board and residents at the meeting with a current concept plan including the revisions which took into account the grading and drainage study. "Since the first presentation in November 2005, the cost estimate has increased from $2,120,516, to $2,568,176," Riga Supervisor Pam Moore said in a phone interview. "The concept plan calls for phasing the project over three years. The estimate is in 2006 dollars, which means the cost would most likely increase with the inflation rate."

Following the presentation, the town board opened the floor to hear comments from residents. "I think the meeting was very productive because it produced the type of community dialogue that needs to occur when considering a project of this nature," she said. "There were specific comments about design features, such as adequacy and location of proposed parking, the need for several retention ponds and the dense concentration of activities in a limited space."

Doug Steward said a lot of questions need to be asked before the town decides to spend that kind of money. "This is a 10 pound project that's being stuffed into a five-pound pail. I think it's too ambitious for a town of this size," he said.

Steward also questioned the highway department's availability to work on and maintain a project of this magnitude.

"I agree we need to do as much as possible for the youth in our community but we have to also consider the whole community, not just one faction," he said.

In an interview following the meeting, resident Dave Panek asked if a benefit study had been completed. "We have an aging population in this town and we should make sure the greater number of residents are reaping the most rewards from any proposals put forth and before any money is spent," he said. "There are probably many more projects the town could explore that would offer better cost-to-benefit ratio."

Moore said questions were raised about whether demographic, traffic, lighting or off-site drainage studies had been conducted. "There were also a number of financial questions asked concerning whether seeking grant money had been explored; how this expenditure fit with expenditures for other projects and what the annual maintenance costs would be at completion," she said.

At the request of a resident, the engineer's presentation will be posted on the town's website. A paper copy will also be available for review at the town hall and the Newman Riga Library. "We encourage residents to continue submitting their questions and comments in writing and/or speak at the open forum at a town board meeting," she said.

The matter will be further discussed at the February 13 board meeting.