It’s been a long time coming, but on April 2, 2019, residents of Grand Junction will finally get to vote on whether or not they think it’s time for a community center. Several members of Western Colorado Alliance – Mesa County have championed this effort and lead it from a hope in 2015 to a reality today. For us, a community center holds different meanings based on the user. It’s an amenity sorely needed in Grand Junction, and one most of our Western Slope communities are already benefiting from. So what will be on the ballot?

The proposal contained in ballot measure 2C is based on community input gathered during a 2018 independent feasibility study and is supported by in-depth analysis conducted by the City of Grand Junction and the Parks and Recreation department. The proposal includes three main components to ensure services for different areas of town and makes use of existing city resources:

• A 98,000 square feet community center located at Matchett Park. It will include warm water, lap, and leisure pools (with play features), a 3-court gymnasium, an indoor elevated walking track, 3 multi-purpose meeting rooms and 2 pool party rooms, gathering spaces for young adults and seniors, a bouldering wall, fitness areas, child supervision services, and a tenant lease space.
• 75 acres of park development at Matchett including 7 multipurpose fields (soccer, lacrosse, football, etc.), walking paths, a plaza area, 2 playgrounds, 3 restroom/shelters, a skate park, a pond, 4 basketball courts, 12 pickleball courts, and 8 tennis courts.
• A renovation of the existing Orchard Mesa pool, gymnasium, and adjoining facilities to serve as a 32,000 square feet satellite Community Center. This will include a new social zone with a food/snack bar, family/special needs dressing areas, 2 multi-purpose rooms, a pool party room, and a new pool spa.

The new Community Center, the partial Matchett Park development, and the renovation/expansion at Orchard Mesa will cost approximately $79m to construct. If approved by voters, it will be funded by a 0.39% (or 39 cents for every $100 spent) sales tax increase in the City of Grand Junction. This less-than-half-a-penny sales tax will cover the cost of construction and ongoing operations and maintenance for all facilities included in the proposal. The tax would not apply to the sale of unprepared food/groceries, gas, prescription medication, or services.

Advocates from the GJ Community Center Campaign (GJCCC) suggest that building a Grand Junction Community Center where everyone belongs will promote health and wellness, social connections, involvement in recreation, and activities for all ages – children through seniors. “This is a quality of life issue,” suggests Andreya Krieves, chair of the GJCCC steering committee. “A Community Center serves a need and strengthens our entire social fabric by offering a variety of amenities that bring people together. From creating spaces for events to bridging the gap between our generations and giving our young people a safe place to grow up strong, the end result is a more resilient and dynamic community.”

For more information, visit www.gjcommunitycenter.org.