Cheney roof collapse shifts parks department priorities

Voters in Cheney might be asked to approve a $5 million bond measure this November to secure funds for phase one of a new 50-acre park on Betz Road near Washington Street.

“This is probably the biggest issue I’ve worked on in my career,” said Paul Simmons, director of parks and recreation.

Simmons told the City Council Tuesday night the collapse of the Wren Pierson Building in January changed the department’s priorities in planning the park.

Before the loss of Wren Pierson, the aquatics facility, athletic fields and trails were the top priority of community members in surveys. A community center is now top priority.

Wren Pierson was home to the Parks and Recreation Dpartment, the museum, the senior club, Cheney Outreach, the food bank, summer day camps, Weight Watchers meetings, dance classes, a preschool co-op and the Cheney Hang Out.

The city received an initial insurance estimate of $575,000 to rebuild. Simmons said the city is getting a second estimate.

The city has the option to rebuild at the old site or use the insurance money for a new community center. Phase one of the park would include the community center, two baseball fields, two athletic fields for soccer or football, and a dog park.

The community center design includes a gymnasium, a playground, an outdoor patio, office space and space to return park and recreation programs displaced from the Wren building.

“This project really affects the entire town,” Simmons told the council.

If the bond measure is approved, taxpayers would pay about $10 a month for a house with an assessed value of $150,000.

The next City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. July 14 at City Hall, 609 Second St.