By Cheryl Duncan | Editor
cduncan@crossville-chronicle.com
Supporters and detractors of Crossville’s proposed indoor recreation and aquatic center will have a chance next month to sound off about the multi-million-dollar facility in a meeting of public comment.
The forum will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, in Crossville City Hall. Attorney Randy York said the meeting is a requirement of the state statute that allowed for the creation of the Crossville Sports Authority, the board that will oversee funding and construction of the complex.
“It’s a good time for folks to get whatever they’re feeling out of their system,” York said during last week’s Sports Authority meeting. “No business will be conducted that day. It is a time where people can express and the board members can learn from what some of the public members are saying.”
The meeting will be livestreamed and available to the public on the city’s website, crossvilletn.gov/.
During last week’s meeting in Crossville City Hall, the Sports Authority inked a contract with Larry Kidwell of Nashville’s Kidwell & Associates. Kidwell was retained as the bond agent to fund construction of the Main St. complex that’s been estimated to cost $40 million.
The contract is for $150,000 and not to exceed $200,000 has a 30-day termination clause with no penalties. It is only for the recreation and aquatic center.
“It’s exciting for me,” said Kidwell, who many city leaders credit for suggesting building the facility through a public building or sports authority. “I want to say thank you.”
The board’s next regular monthly meeting at noon Tuesday, Aug. 6, will be a busy one. Authority board members will hear a presentation from the Upland Design Group architectural firm, as well as consider and act on memorandums of understanding, lease agreements, operating agreements and a global agreement.
These will be binding agreements required to get the project off the ground, York said.
Also to be discussed is the $10 million capital campaign to be undertaken by the YMCA of Putnam County. The organization will operate the facility for the city.
York said the YMCA board is expected to discuss the campaign during an upcoming meeting. He explained it’s an anticipatory campaign.
“They will be bound probably to hold the campaign, but they’re not bound to raise $10 million,” York said. “This money will be raised for the city of Crossville and its citizens to enhance our way of life here.”
Of the money raised, one fifth will go to the YMCA for their expenses related to the startup of the Crossville center. The remaining funds will go to the city for the project.
Mandy Perhay, CEO of the Putnam County YMCA, attended last week’s meeting via Zoom. She explained the reason behind the organization retaining a fifth of the capital campaign proceeds.
“The first three years we expect to be a loss, and a little bit less of a loss each year,” she said. “That money will hold us through without digging into anything else, because it’s my hope to keep these operations separate between Putnam and Crossville, even though staffing will be shared.”
It’s hoped that operations will begin to break even after that period, with funds raised though the facility going back into operations and programs for the members, Perhay added. She said an annual campaign will be conducted to help provide scholarships for those unable to afford memberships, as well as various outreach programs.
Members of the Sports Authority also designated term limits among themselves. Crossville City Council appointed the seven Authority members earlier this year. York said state statute requires that terms be staggered, with two to three board members serving in two-, four- and six-year terms.
“Im hopeful that this project that we’re brining to you will be completed in two years or thereabouts,” the attorney said as the board members chose their terms.
Serving for a two-year term are Chairwoman Tracey Barnes and Rob Patton. Treasurer Mark Moore and Secretary Brock Hill will serve four-year terms, with Vice Chairman Lou Morrison, Ethan Hadley and Sheryl Webb serving for six years.
City Council approved those terms during the July regular meeting last week.