City officials/legislators in support of recreation center ballot initiative

From a press release:
The Aurora Residents for Recreation (ARR), a grassroots, resident-driven group of citizens continues to gain support in their efforts to bring much needed recreation opportunities to the community.  Aurora residents have not benefited from a new indoor recreation center since 1980, when the population (158,000) was less than one half of what it is today (325,078).  Aurora residents must travel to other municipalities and recreation districts to meet many of their recreational needs, resulting in increased costs to the Aurora family and missed opportunities to bring in visitors, competitors, customers, and revenue to Aurora



The ARR obtained more than 14,000 signatures from residents, far in excess of the 8,438 valid signatures required to place a construction bond and operational mill levy charter amendment referendum on the ballot for November of 2011.



The ARR is recommending the construction of three new regional community recreation centers and the renovation and expansion of the Moorhead Recreation Center to add 340,000 square feet of indoor facility space to meet community needs.  Aurora’s current inventory of indoor recreation space compares very unfavorably (in both type and quantity) to surrounding municipalities and recreation districts.



This project will significantly improve the quality of life opportunities available to Aurora businesses and residents.  At a cost of $2.75 in property taxes per month for each $100,000 in residential property value, this proposal has received tremendous support from the Aurora community.  The ARR is creating a healthy Aurora.



Approval of the ballot question has been called for by Aurora City Council Members Bob Broom, Molly Markert, and Brad Pierce; State Senators representing Aurora Morgan Carroll, Mary Hodge, and Suzanne Williams; State Representatives from Aurora Cindy Acree, Rhonda Fields, Su Ryden, and Nancy Todd; Arapahoe County Commissioners Nancy Jackson and Frank Weddig; RTD Board Member from Aurora Tom Tobiassen; and the entire Aurora Public Schools Board of Education.



Former Aurora City Council Members Nadine Caldwell, Peggy Kerns, John McCracken, Sue Sandstrom, and Deborah Wallace; Former State Senator from Aurora Steve Ruddick; former State Representative from Aurora Gerard Frank; and also former Aurora City Manager Ron Miller are among those endorsing this ballot initiative