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<br /> -, JIM <br /> - <br /> PROGRAM NARRATIVE <br /> 1. General Information <br /> Project Sponsor - City of San Marcos <br /> Project Name - San Marcos Activity Center Racquetball Courts <br /> Document Prepared by - Parks and Recreation Department <br /> - <br /> 2. Description of the Proposed Project <br /> In May of 1994, the citizens of San Marcos passed, \vith 58% in favor, a bond proposition for the <br /> construction of an activity center in the amount of $5.3 million. The layout of the center that was <br /> approved by the voters included a 6000 sq. ft. meeting room, an indoor pool, two multi-purpose <br /> courts (basketball and volleyball), aerobics rooms, arts and crafts room, office space and <br /> racquetball courts. The preliminary cost estimates indicated that funding would not be sufficient <br /> for all components of the center. After much discùssion, it was decided that the racquetball <br /> courts would be bid as an alternate and if funding was available they would be constructed. As <br /> anticipated the funding was not adequate for the entire: Structure and the racquetball courts were <br /> put on hold until a later date. The decision was made at this time to build the shell for the courts <br /> to save money in the future. If we are awarded this grant, we are prepared to accept the <br /> ~ <br /> racquetball court alternate in the original bid and have the contractor finish out the courts. <br /> 3. Project Justification <br /> Racquetball has primarily been a sport that has been played by males between the ages of 20-40 <br /> with expendable income due in part to the fact that only private sector clubs provided the courts <br /> (late 70's thIough mid 80's). This trend has seen a change in the recent years (late 80"s to <br /> present) due in large part to the public sectors becoming more involved in fitness programs for <br /> their citizens. \Ve in San Marcos are no different from the national trends. During our research <br /> period for the components for the Activity Center, racquetball was a program that was requested <br /> on numerous occasions with comments on the lack of courts and inacessibilities to the courts that <br /> currently exist. The only racquetball courts in San Marcos are at the University for their students <br /> use only and four available at a private club within the ETJ. With the number of families <br /> residing within San Marcos that are at or below the poverty level (rapidly approaching 50%), <br /> with increased numbers of youth at risk and with families on fixed income, we will be the only <br /> facility that will be available for them to participate in this type of recreational activity. By <br /> providing this facility, we \vill be able to offer opportunities to all citizens, including the low <br /> income citizens, minority citizens, elderly citizens and the youth (who are all at risk) that in the <br /> past have not been available unless you were a student or had expendable income. <br /> Presently, we are using school facilities to provide all of our indoor activities. The construction <br /> of this activity center will provide the City with its first and only indoor recreation center. This <br /> center \\till provide the City \vith ample opportunities for a more balanced mix and \vider variety <br /> of public indoor recreation. When complete, this center will address one of the high priority <br /> needs that was identified in the City's master plan. Priorities 1 and 2 listed in the master plan are <br />