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Community center open to 3,500 new workers
(by Mike Klimko - October 01, 2008)
Community center open to 3,500 new workers
By MIKE KLIMKO
Adding to the list of concerns about the impact of the proposed Central Park redevelopment, a Ward 5 resident raised a question last week about strains on the Solon Community Center.
Resident Karen Bobcheck noted that memberships to the community center are open to people who work in Solon, as well as to residents of the city.
"One thing that's been said is the project won't stretch city services. There's going to be 3,500 jobs coming in. And those won't make a difference for police, fire and garbage pickup," she said.
"Those jobs will affect the senior center and the rec center. If only 10 percent, or 350, join, they and their families will crowd the rec center. You can't get a machine now on the second floor during peak hours."
Memberships at the recreation center could climb by hundreds more due to an increase in residents. According to plans by the Coral Co. redevelop the SOM Centre shopping plaza east of SOM Center Road (Route 91), between Bainbridge and Solon roads, 550 residential units are on the drawing board.
How the development of Central Park would affect the operation of the community center has not been a main topic for city officials in choosing to place the zoning for Central Park on the November ballot, Councilman Edward H. Kraus said.
"If this passes, with all the people who are going to live there, the office space and the people who work there, there will be a potential increase in membership," he said.
"There will be two things they'll have to look at at the recreation department. No. 1, we'll need more outdoor space for a pool. There's probably land available in the back," Mr. Kraus said. "We'd probably put in an adult area for lap swimming. We might expand on that. No. 2, we'd possibly go for an expansion of the gym. There's some space we can use there."
One certainty about the Solon Community Center is the extent of use by the members, Mr. Kraus said. No matter what time of day, there are always cars in the parking lots, he said.
"Speaking as a city official, it's a good thing. There's no question about it. If the Coral project comes in, there will be an increase in memberships, any way you look at it," Mr. Kraus said.
"If people are coming in, you accommodate them. You deal with it, accommodate it, get more space. It's our facility. With the potential increase, there will be more people, more space and more revenue. Bring in X amount of people, there's increased revenue."
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