53 replies to this topic

[john]

Why would Intel kick down? Intel has it's own on-site gym.

The idea of a city gym is somewhat absurd to me... is the city really that willing to send money in to a money pit like the aquatic center??

[camay2327]

JOHN, they are. They are going to do it. You know they are!!!!!

[Steve Heard]

I wanted to stay out of this, because I work for Steve Miklos, in the mortgage biz, but felt I just had to throw in with the following:

I haven't asked Steve about it, as he doesn't mix city business with his work, but I have talked to another city official who told me that a city gym was planned years before Steve Miklos became mayor, so to say the he is building a memorial to himself is incorrect.

Furthermore, as I understand it, it is not a gym, as in Family Fitness, or Golds Gym, but a gymnasium, as in a place to play basketball, volleyball, etc.

These facilities are common and ordinary in all of the communities I've lived in, and have been run by the parks and rec departments. They serve as places to play, hold leagues, teach dance and martial arts, hold meetings, parties, and a host of other events, as does our small community center on Natoma.

Can we live without it? Sure. We can also live without parks. A city gymnasium would be a welcome addition however, and will enhance the quality of life, as well as recreation and educational opportunities for Folsom citizens, and may increase our property values.

[john]

How is this proposed gym different than the new multi-purpose facility that is going up across the street behind Home Depot?

[NRB]

The on behind Home Depot is privately owned!

[tessieca]

That would be the new Folsom Sports Complex. It is my understanding that the combination of the opening of the up-sized gym at Folsom Middle School, plus the building of that sports complex caused the city to decrease the number of gyms that the city's general plan calls for. It this Lembi gym is built, I think it is the last. My question about money relates more to operations. A city gym would be unlikely to be widely used during school and work hours. So, they will have to find a way to finance operations with use in evenings and on weekends only.

[camay2327]

I don't mind them building a new GYM but would hope that the money they charge for the use of it pays for the people that will be working inside and the cost to run the thing.

Also, I don't know how many people here in Folsom plays handball, but it probabally should have one or two handball courts inside too.

[FiscalConservative]

For all of those who oppose the spending of $4.1 million dollars for the construction of a City Gym and yearly maintenance costs that could easily exceed $600,000 I am gathering Email messages and letters of opposition to present to the City Council. If you are opposed to the construction of the City Gym please send me an Email or letter of opposition with your full name and address.

Send your Email to adsi33@hotmail.com

Or

Mail your letter to:

ADSI33
12401 Folsom Blvd. - Suite 322
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

Thank you for your support in opposing this project

[FiscalConservative]

As stated in the Bee ..

"... the City Council recently submitted a $2.5 million grant request for the project, which is expected to cost about $4.1 million to construct".

The State program under which the City applied for the $2.5 million Grant is called the Murray - Hayden Urban Parks and Youth Service Program.

This Grant will be paid for with issued State Bonds that you and I are paying for. What's interesting is that this Grant clearly spells out the following purpose:

"Acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of parks, park facilities, environmental enhancement projects, youth centers, or environmental youth service centers that:are within the immediate proximity of a neighborhood that has a critical lack of park or open space lands and/or deteriorated park facilities; are in an area of significant poverty and unemployment ..."

I ask the City the following questions ....

1. With over 30 City Parks ... does the City have a critical lack of park and open space? ---- NO!

2. Does the City have deteriorated park facilities in the Lembi Park area? --- NO .. unless the new Aquatic Center is already falling apart because of the $400,000 annual deficit required to operate it.

3. Does the City have significant poverty and unemployment? --- I DON'T THINK SO.

As you can see, the City will do what it wants to build this Memorial to Steve Miklos; even if it means supplying false information to the State in its Grant application for the $2.5 million.

[apeman]

A city Gym? Cool - about time! I'll write my support to the city council - thanks for the heads up.

I don't use the city pool but I'm glad we have it. Seems pretty obvious to me why a lot of people want to live here. It's a nice family community and what better way to enhance that family environment by providing facilities available to all and a place to gather and get to know one another. Without them your home values wouldn't be near where they are. Why? Because like the library, all the other similar communities already have these facilities and the people and housing appreciation will move there if we don't have them. Just look what Roseville has. Everywhere I have lived my adult life I have had access to similar facilities.

I can't really afford a gym membership and really don't like their sports programs as they cater to a small portion of the community and are not as fun as city leagues. I have played in both and much prefer the parks and rec programs. They have something to offer everyone and not just sports.

I play softball in all 3 leagues offered at Lembi. Our team gladly pays the 400 - 500 dollar fee to play in each league. I meet my neighbors and members of the business community. I'm relatively new to Folsom and I have met many friends through Parks and Rec. I manage our co-ed team and we picked up 1/2 our team from what is called the free agent list. This means people that could not form their own team and don't know anyone can sign up and play on an established team. The program is offered to all and it attracts more than just players. Many teams have local business sponsors and we frequently support eating and sometimes multiple drinking establishments in Folsom after the game. Our familes come and root for us. Our kids have somewhere to go. Not all of us in Folsom can afford the luxuries of private clubs. If I wanted to live in a rich community with no city center and no sense of community and didn't want to know my neighbors I would have moved to EDH. I love Folsom and am glad it's getting better. If we can continue to link our community with transit and bike paths and add facilities then we can all stay and play in our community instead of having to drive to Rancho Cordova or Rocklin and Roseville to use their facilites.

Ok - who wants to join my basketball team when we get the city gym built?

[FiscalConservative]

Based on feedback that I have been receiving, "apeman" is in the minority and most do not agree that a City Gym should be constructed by the City.

With the Fiscal Crisis that this State is facing, lack of adequate City police staffing to bring emergency response down to a reasonable time, infrastructure improvements lacking, and the City's history of running large deficits on park facilities a majority of folks are in opposition to this project.

For all of those who oppose the spending of $4.1 million dollars for the construction of a City Gym and yearly maintenance costs that could easily exceed $600,000 let's express our opposition to the City Gym.

Here's the Email addresses to the City Council

Steve Miklos themayor@folsom.ca.us
Eric King eric@ericking.org
Kerri Howell corrprincess@ardennet.com
Andy Morin andy@themorins.com
Jeff Starsky jstarsky@folsom.ca.us

I am gathering Email messages and letters of opposition to present to the City Council. If you are opposed to the construction of the City Gym please send me an Email or letter of opposition with your full name and address.

Send your Email to adsi33@hotmail.com

Or

Mail your letter to:

ADSI33
12401 Folsom Blvd. - Suite 322
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

Thank you for your support in opposing this project

Let's tell the City Council that we don't want public funds used for a City Gym!

[Steve Heard]

I am with Apeman on this one. There are many things that can add quality of life, and value to living in a community. Folsom's parks, trails and other recreation opportunities make this a great place to live.

A city Gym would be a great addition.

It will help keep kids occupied and off the streets, present opportunties for leagues, summer camps, rentals, and provide a recreational focal point for Folsom.

Sometimes, cities have to spend money on things other than cops and fire. I've never heard we've had lack of either.

[Candy Apple]

I had not heard that we are lacking in either policemen or firemen. I think both those departments in Folsom are about the best in the county and probably elsewhere in the state!!!

We have been without a decent library for over 10 years. If I had a choice, I would rather see that money go toward the library any day.

The Fire Hdqtrs. building has a beautiful gym in it and that building will soon be put to other city PUBLIC uses. I believe the high schools and middle schools all have gyms, and there are many commrcial gym facilities in Folsom.

Is another gym facility worth that much to the majority of Folsom residents?

[OctoberLily]

I'm with Apeman, Tony and Steve on the issue of a City Gym. I welcome its coming.

After hearing from Park Lady in the Willow Springs Forum, many residents in the area of Livermore Park don't want it built out to include the basketball courts, etc. Therefore, if we can't build out the parks that we have now, then a City Gym is a welcome addition to our neighborhood. It will be on a site that will not adversely affect the residents close to it. Kids in the city will have a place to go to play basketball in the rain. Maybe, it will give the 4000 teens in our city a place to go to hangout and be safe after school.

Also, we could request volunteers to help with the support staff of the gym. There are many basketball leagues in the City that have a hard time finding a place to practice and play their games.

I've been a member of Broadstone and 24 hour Fitness. Those places can be too expensive for Folsom residents on a fixed income. They need a place to go. Sometimes we forget that not all Folsom residents make $100K a year and can't afford the $100+ a month family gym memberships that we paid for Broadstone. After a couple of years, the cost for gym memberships can be too much for some people. 24 hour Fitness can also be a problem because they want their fees upfront. They no longer have the $35 a month membership they used to years ago.

So I will send my support for the City Gym.

[Candy Apple]

A very good point October Lily. Since I am one restricted by fixed income I may change my view! Thank You!!!