A special election slated for May 12 to approve quarter-cent and half-cent sales and use taxes in the City of Mountain Home wouldn’t just finance a new Mountain Home Community Complex, but would result in a complete overhaul of the city’s parks system.The Mountain Home City Council voted unanimously Thursday to call for the special election and send the proposal to citizens to decide the fate of the project.The half-cent tax is planned to cover the $38.6 million cost of the bonds issued for the project, with $36.2 million available for construction of the new Mountain Home Community Complex and refurbishment of the existing parks. Representatives from Crews & Associates, the company that would be retained to issue the bonds, estimate the debt would be paid off in 19 years, if the economy remains flat in the city. Economic growth or decline could change the length of the term.McCabe Park, the newest of the city’s parks, would be the host of the community complex, which is the crown jewel of the plan. The complex would contain a 30,000-square-oot community center at a cost of $6.6 million. The facility would include meeting multipurpose rooms and a fitness area with cardio and resistance equipment.
A 35,000-square-foot gymnasium/multipurpose hall would be constructed for $6.735 million, featuring courts that can be used for basketball, pickleball and volleyball, a walking track and more. The indoor aquatic center would check in at 35,000 square feet with pools for competition, therapy and more. The cost for that portion of the facility is $9.212 million.
The final area of new construction would be the outdoor aquatic area with a size of 35,000 square feet at a cost of $3.85 million. Three different pools and other features are included in that price. A total of $2.2 million would be needed for site improvements at McCabe Park. Those items are of the infrastructure variety.
Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams gives an update on the project’s status after passage of ordinances to allow for the special election.
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The plan also includes just over $2 million in improvements at Clysta Willett Park baseball facility; just under $2 million for upgrades at the Keller Park softball complex; just over $1.9 million to upgrade the L.C. Sammons Youth Center at Cooper Park, repair the park’s tennis courts and convert the previous city pool to a splash pad.
Improvements are also planned for the dog park at the Keller Complex; playground equipment at all parks; the Dr. Ray Stahl Soccer Complex and a setup for RV parking at Clysta Willett Park.
View a list of the proposal’s features by clicking here.
Adams explains what steps the process will take, if the tax proposals are approved by voters in May.
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When shovels hit the earth will be determined by several factors, according to Adams.
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Thus far, the city’s expenditures towards the project have been limited to just $600 for a bus trip for community leaders to view complexes in the nearby cities of Batesville and Heber Springs, with the funds coming from the mayor’s discretionary fund. Costs for the special election are estimated to be approximately $2,500, which were included in the 2020 budget.
Adams says no money has been spent on the plans for the complex.
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City officials plan on spending the next two months educating the public on the proposal, with more meetings and producing education materials to be distributed to the public.
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