Build a rec center

With the November general election now in the history books, after the Erie County elections board certified the results on Monday, Sandusky and its residents accomplished what most thought could never be done: They secured the funding to build and operate a recreation facility. It was a squeaker: 3,258 votes for it and 3,206 against it. Despite the slim margin, 50.4% to 49.6%, the victory is momentous, historic and forward thinking. Residents voted to spend nearly $13.5 million over the next 20 years to operate a rec center. The rest of the cost is being paid for by out-of-towners. A portion of the admissions tax and a new parking lot tax enacted in 2021 that visitors to Cedar Point pay will fund construction. The amount earmarked from the taxes for construction is $15 million. How to pay for a community center was always the challenge that seemed insurmountable. Even though it's been a long-talked-about goal, the here and now of it still seems rather sudden. But here we are. The talking is over. Now comes the doing. There's no cookie-cutter approach that will work for the city and its residents when it comes to designing a center and developing the programming that it will have. There's no consultant we need to tell us what we need. That's a challenge that's all on us. It's clear the Sandusky recreation department's programming at the former Mills School is one of the factors that won support from voters for a rec center. It's the model the city has as a great starting point. Extending the full range of that programming — from physical activity, diet, mental health exercise to intergenerational involvement that serves all residents — should be a top priority. It's the obvious place from which to start. But this new center will be like no other. It's now up to city officials, recreation department employees and, most importantly, residents to develop it, design it and bring it home. How our city government was able to develop a plan for funding it is extraordinary in itself. And how residents voted to pay to operate it is commendable, too. The Sandusky rec center will become what we say it should be. Now is the time to imagine our future differently and envision a community center where everyone feels welcome, safe and there's always a reason to be there. Work together: Now is the time to listen to every idea, to ponder every scenario and to set our community goals. Now is the time to bring it home.