The Bear River Recreation and Park District has seen significant changes over the past few years.
In the summer of 2004 BRRPD sought approval of a per-parcel assessment in order to raise much-needed revenues for District operations. The assessment was voted on by area property owners in the form of a mail-in ballot. The measure failed by less than one percent. Without the additional revenue that this would have brought to the District progress in many areas has not been as fast as planned. The primary focus since that time has been on continuing to offer our base level of community programs. To that end the District has been very successful.
We continue to offer our youth winter basketball league as our largest recreational program. Over 400 3rd through 8th graders and high school students participate every year. We also have after school enrichment programs operating at all three area elementary schools and we offer a wide range of summer and school-break camp programs and activities. Our quarterly Community Enrichment Class program is also up and running with computer, yoga, tennis, dance and other classes being offered to area residents. We have also recently added an after-school daycare program at Alta Sierra Elementary school to our programs.
Unfortunately the lack of available funding has caused us to eliminate some programs, at least temporarily, such as our adult basketball league and our spring volleyball leagues. We hope to bring these back in the future.
The lack of funding has also slowed progress on development of the Magnolia Sports Complex and the Kimler Ranch Regional Park. These two facilities remain as high priorities for the District and we have not lost site of the important role that they will play in addressing the area's recreational needs. Work does continue in these areas, however. A site plan for the Magnolia Sports Complex has been completed and we are working with the school district on the next steps toward construction. At Kimler Ranch we have completed a park master plan and are in the process of preparing required studies and reports. We are also working to put together teams of volunteers to help clean up the area for eventual development. While steady progress is being made, fully opening these facilities to the public is still some time off.
BRRPD continues to work in the community in other areas as well. BRRPD is a partner in the Bear River High School swimming pool project. We contributed $60,000 toward construction of the pool complex and have pledged an additional $20,000 for deck lighting. BRRPD will be handling all of the community recreation programs that will be held at the pool. Watch for a variety of programs staring in summer 2007.
In summer 2006 BRRPD shifted a $130,000 transportation grant to Nevada County to help build a pedestrian and bicycle path along Magnolia/Combie Roads. Construction has been completed. We are also working with Nevada County to purchase several tax delinquent properties in Alta Sierra for walking trail and picnic areas.
While BRRPD is doing a lot with limited resources, we believe that so much more could be done to provide South County residents with recreational opportunities. To that end the District is considering revisiting the idea of a per-parcel assessment in the future. Approval would provide the District with the funds needed to greatly speed up the planning and development process for both Kimler Ranch, the Magnolia Sports Complex and other facilities. Additional funds would also allow us to bring back some of the recreational programs curtailed in recent years. We will keep the community informed of this process as it develops and hope that we can count on your support.
BRRPD is always interested in and welcomes the viewpoints and opinions of the residents we serve. If you have any questions or comments please contact us at 530-268-7275 or e-mail at brrpd@nccn.net
Thank You !
Debi Juric , Board Chair
Marlene Sharon, General Manager
|
