$15.8 Million Rec Package Still In Idea Stage

spokeswoman says a proposed $15.8 million recreation improvement package is just at the idea stage right now.

The packed of improvements was suggested at a February meeting by Parks and Planning Commission members. The group has put together a sort of "wish list" of improvements and facilities, which got the attention this week of Reston2020, an advocacy group.

On the list of potential projects: The widely facility, $7 million for a 50-meter indoor pool (in conjunction with which operates the current indoor pool and has identified the pool project as one of their needs), $1 million to improve existing pools, and money for improvements to paths, public art installations, playgrounds, and ballfields.

"The idea of a recreation funding package is just that, an idea," says RA spokeswoman Amelia Townsend. "It is something that both the Parks and Planning and the Tennis Advisory Committees have discussed as a possible way to provide funding for capital improvements that have been discussed for some time in the community, but have not been funded. "

Like any wish list, there may be a gap with what actually happens (did Santa always bring YOU a pony?). The suggestion will be discussed at the May 26 RA meeting.

Any item or any list for consideration would go through a vetting process with the RA Board  the community, and would need approval from the board, and, depending on the costs,  a referendum of the membership, said Townsend.

The last costly recreation idea, the $65 million indoor tennis facility at unraveled in 2009 because of cost and size. Meanwhile, RA is still discussing the pros and cons of putting the idea for the $3.8 million indoor tennis facility at Lake Newport to a referendum later this year.