Business & Tech

What's the Best Way to Proceed With New RCC?

Reston 2020 report looks at process, alternate locations, demand for potential new indoor pool at Baron Cameron Park.

Advocacy Group Reston 2020 is proposing that a panel of representatives from Reston Association, Reston Community Center and Reston Citizens Association band together to make the best decision for the community regarding a new RCC at Baron Cameron Park.

Reston 2020, had this suggestion in the final draft of a white paper on the new facility. Other main topics of the paper - does Reston need a new indoor pool? How should it be financed? What should the center include?

READ THE ENTIRE DRAFT HERE

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RCC is looking into the feasibility of building a new facility, which will likely feature a 50-meter indoor pool, on about five acres at the 68-acre Baron Cameron Park.

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The proposal has met with mixed reaction at several community meetings. Swimmers and triathletes are in favor; many nearby residents are not, citing traffic, costs paid by Small Tax District 5 residents, and loss of green space among their concerns.

"How do we make the best decision for Reston?" the draft reads. "There are many ways by which Reston can arrive at a decision about the issues discussed above—and we believe must be a community decision.

"We believe that this decision should not be RCC’s alone despite the noteworthy work it has done in developing the proposal and reaching out to the community. To date, however,we are concerned that RCC has been generally unwilling to consider any location except Baron Cameron Park for the new recreation center and it appears fixed on the idea that the new center should be paid for by [Small Tax District] #5 tax revenues, not withstanding some possible contributions from proffers.

Reston 2020 says "it is not at all clear that those are the best options for Reston."

The multi-group panel, with two reps from each organization, could assess the merits of the idea of a new Reston recreation center and develop a specific recommendation on whether the community should pursue building one, what facilities and services it should provide, where it should be located, and how it should be financed.

"It would certainly also need to elicit public input in this process," says 2020. "Such a joint effort would better reflect the broad range of views and interests across the entire community.In this way, we believe that all the community’s equities—including the majority of Restonians who might make limited use of a recreation center—will be represented and considered in the fairest possible way."

Do you think this would be a good way to represent the whole community? Tell us in the comments.

More: 

What's in the Future for Baron Cameron Park?

RCC Considering New Facility

RCC Sizing Up Pool Competition

What Will Happen to Baron Cameron Dog Park?

Indoor Tennis Not Likely at New RCC Facility

RCC FAQs

Save the Date: Park Master Planning Meeting

Citizens Speak Out on RCC Proposal

 


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