Our Opinion: Public deserves answers from parks commission

News Tribune editorial

Will an indoor recreation facility now under construction serve the needs of Jefferson City residents who requested it?

That is among a number of questions that remain unanswered by the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission.

Our readers will recall the commission was approached by city residents interested in a venue for basketball, volleyball and other indoor recreation.

Commissioners studied the concept at the same time a parallel indoor recreation facility was being planned by Lincoln University, and the two entities decided to proceed with a joint project.

Construction has begun on the Lincoln University/Parks and Recreation Wellness and Multipurpose Recreation Center on Lafayette Street. The facility will include four basketball courts, a walking track and common/concession areas. LU will occupy the second floor with a fitness area, classrooms and office space.

Beyond that, the parks commission has revealed few specifics about financing, operations and programming. The lack of transparency has left city residents wondering when and how they may use the facility.

In a Sunday News Tribune story, Denise Chapel, parks commission president, was asked whether the facility will house the agency's offices. She answered: "We approved the design/floor plan, which included office space for all parks staff. If the needs of the facility or financials necessitate that we rethink that, because it is not a critical path item, we will address that when/if the need arises."

Translation: The offices will be moved unless they aren't.

In addition, requests for a breakdown of the project budget went unanswered. Overall, the $11.5 million construction contract will be financed with $4.6 million from LU and roughly $6.5 million from parks, which includes a $1.5 million line of credit from the Jefferson City Council.

Finally, Chapel said now that construction is underway, the commission can begin discussions about programming.

We believe programming, as the catalyst for this project, deserved to be top priority, not a footnote.

City residents are supporting this facility with their tax dollars and they deserve answers about whether accessibility, programming and operations will meet their needs.

The parks commission has secluded itself behind reticence and opacity for too long. It's past time to open up and tell city residents what the facility will offer.