RCC Supporter: 'We Are Shortchanging Kids'

A vision is beginning to emerge for the proposed new Reston Community Center facility at Baron Cameron Park.

RCC and the Fairfax County Park Authority, along with consultants Brailsford & Dunlavey, have been conducting public feedback sessions since February to get an idea of what the community wants, and now, keeping that in mind, what it might cost. 

While feedback has been mixed overall, at Monday's meeting, every one of the more than half dozen speakers was in favor of the new rec center.

"It has occurred to us we are really shortchanging the kids," said Gordon Gerson, president of Reston Masters Swimming. "The outdoor world of Reston only available to them six months a year - no baseball, no swimming. Where do they go? What do they do? [With a new facility] we wont have to send them somewhere else for indoor swimming, indoor soccer." 

Craig Levin of B&D said once the needs of the community are understood, then a cost analysis can be worked out. Levin says there will likely be three different cost models depending on the size of the facility. RCC executive director Leila Gordon says RCC has requested B&D look at the cost of surface parking vs. structure parking, as well as LEED building features.

"We need to understand and balance what program spaces work best for this community and then build financial models on that," he said. "We need look at what are operating expenses going to be? What is the bottom line? How do we get there?"

Other meeting highlights:

* The facility is coming into focus as an indoor aquatics center with multipurpose space.

* Gordon says community concerns have included the loss of park land, loss of the dog park and the cost issue of Reston paying vs. the county paying. She says she has also heard several requests to build the facility at Tall Oaks.

* If built, the facility will better serve the needs of the community with a 50-meter pool and not a 25-meter pool like the one at the current RCC Hunters Woods.

The next opportunity for public feedback will be at 6 p.m. on May 6 at RCC Hunters Woods. That meeting will also feature a preliminary report from B&D.

More:

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