I
’m responding to the editorial in the Dec. 30 edition of the
Morgan Hill Times headlined “Solomon’s choice” facing the City
Council – between paying for a library or a recreation center.
EDITOR:
I’m responding to the editorial in the Dec. 30 edition of the Morgan Hill Times headlined “Solomon’s choice” facing the City Council – between paying for a library or a recreation center. I was a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for two years during the time when surveys were taken, the master plan was completed, projects were prioritized and land was chosen for major projects and facilities.
The reason we choose, after many discussions, to place the seniors with the youth was to integrate rather than divide the community. This multi-generational center was to bring our community together. Youth were already assisting the seniors with the computers at the YMCA. We hoped that through the computer lab and other activities, including the gym and pool, all of our community would be welcomed and grow together.
About the senior center part – seniors have been waiting many years to have a place they can gather, not just for lunches but to have activities – a place they could call their own that was central to Morgan Hill and upscale from the current facility. The location of the swim center was ruled out because it was so far away from the center of town.
Seniors asked for one facility where they could meet other seniors, have lunch, swim, and work out in a gym. Since transportation is difficult for some seniors, we were trying to make a location central to the community and easy to reach.
Concerning the youth – youth today need a safe and positive environment where they can hang out, do homework, work out, and have activities. A teen center would provide a wonderful place where teens could belong. My understanding is that various youth activities could be located on this property, including the skate board park. We considered using the corporation yard as a potential place for the BMX Park and more tennis courts but the question remained – where would those buildings and vehicles relocate to?
The first survey stated clearly that a high percentage of Morgan Hill residents considered an indoor pool a priority. The survey the YMCA did at their expense showed that the only way a recreation center would support itself would be through including an indoor pool. This pool would be especially for seniors to do exercises in and families with children (heated warmer than a normal lap pool). Families wanted to be able to swim indoors year round and school pools were completely scheduled.
Concerning costs – the original priorities were: 1. The Community and Cultural Center and Theater; 2. The Recreation Center; 3. The Swim Center to be built in 3 phases (Olympic pool last, due to cost). Since the City Council changed this order, putting the Recreation Center in third place, Solomon’s choice has arisen. Other issues should be considered. The YMCA told us about a Y that had been built in Milpitas for around $13 million.
Some of us toured the facility. It had many good features similar to what we wanted to develop locally. So, why $26 million for this facility? The other consideration is that the YMCA generously offered to run the new recreation facility without any operating or maintenance costs to the city (based on low fees and support from their organization) and furnish the interior (at a cost of $200,000 to $500,000.) The PRC and City Council turned down their fine offer. Now people are wondering if we should have such a facility because of the cost to the city?
Why think that the library serves everyone and the recreation center just a few? Each program and activity in a community services different needs and various people. I recall the joy of swimming at an indoor pool much of my childhood and would love one here now. When my children were young, we frequented the library often. Now that they’re grown up, I rarely use it. Our needs change as we progress through various stages in life and as technologies improve.
In considering the direction for our future, it’s always good to step back and look at why we are where we are now. I hope this letter has clarified the process that we went through and some of the decisions that were made a couple of years ago, to the best of my recollection.
Wanda Puder, Morgan Hill
