by Margaret Tweet
Camas Resident and Taxpayer
Proponents of the massive $78 million pool bond are quick to remind us that in addition to the giant two-pool complex, the bond will pay to construct new "meeting rooms" inside the proposed 78,000 sq.ft. aquatic center. But a quick review of the abundance of municipal and commercial event/meeting space already available in and around Camas, suggests that the current supply of mostly taxpayer funded facilities is generous. The question is, do we actually need to build more taxpayer-funded meeting space?
Below are some of the events centers in the area.
The Black Pearl is a family-owned events center on the Columbia River that opened in 2018 and features panoramic views of the river and Mt. Hood on 2 levels, including outdoor decks and patios. The spectacular site is well suited for weddings and receptions, art and car auctions, retreats, fundraisers and other gatherings.
Situated on the north side of Lacamas Lake, the Pittock-Leadbetter House has been purchased by the City of Camas for a cost of $2.5 million to be added to Legacy Lands program. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington Heritage Register. The goal of the acquisition is to make the home, and its associated lands, part of a trail around Lacamas Lake.
The Camas Post-Record reported that the city could decide to use the house for special events. “It would be an awesome place to have weddings and events,” Capell said of the historic home, which overlooks Lacamas Lake. “We wouldn’t try to make money off of it … but hope to generate enough revenue to keep it in excellent condition, so it could pay for itself and not be something the city has to subsidize.”
In contrast, the city expects to subsidize the proposed Camas Aquatics Center, since projected operations costs exceed projected revenue. The proposed Camas Aquatics Center is located on the SE side of Lacamas Lake, and plans include events space for undisclosed rental fees.
The city owned Lacamas Lake Lodge across the street from the proposed Aquatics Center currently offers event space rental to the public for weddings, special events, and city public meetings.
For outdoor gatherings, Fallen Leaf Lake Park adjacent to the proposed new Aquatics Center can be rented from the city from Memorial Day-September 30. Swimming and non-motorized flotation devices are allowed on the lake.
The charming city owned Camas Community Center , just south of downtown, also rents events space. The BALLROOM features a 1500 sq. ft. dance floor that is perfect for weddings, company celebrations, or reunions. (Capacity 300 people) For gatherings of 50 or less, the RECEPTION or CONFERENCE room is available. The kitchen is fully equipped.
Cottonwood Beach on the Columbia River offers sheltered picnic areas, and events may be held in various areas of the park, by reservation. It’s also a popular swimming beach.
The Camas City Library offers meeting rooms and study rooms, and the Parker Street fire station and police station provide community meeting rooms also.
Camas Schools have also started the engineering phase to renovate the Garfield Center near downtown into a versatile, mixed-use building to include district and community programming for ages 3 to adult, rental to outside organizations, and school and community performances. Construction is planned for early spring 2020. Camas School rooms, libraries, cafeterias, gyms, and a theater are available for rent to the community as well as fields and stadiums.
At the Sept. 9, 2019 School Board meeting, the plans to build an indoor practice facility with turf like Hockinson has were presented. These indoor fields are expected to be a "revenue generator". Community use of the facilities after hours and when school is not in session helps make the most of the limited resources our community has.
The school district also owns the Jack, Will & Rob Center, which was built to commemorate the lives of three young Camas brothers and their father who perished in an airplane crash in Novermber 1999. Their mother initiated a partnership with the school district, donating and raising funds for the center's construction. The JWR center original vision included activites the boys enjoyed, music, art, and computer science.The school district helped fund the gymnasium that is part of the center. The Boys and Girls Club managed the center for about 14 years, and now the school district manages the facility for before and after school care. https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/feb/13/camas-school-district-take-over-jack-will-rob-center/
Many residents support houses of worship as centers for weddings, gatherings, and community service. This adds an abundance of meeting and events space all over the area. Every meeting space requires maintenance and upkeep, the larger the facility, the higher the costs. Some are forecasting another economic downturn. Is it fiscally responsible to overextend with more longterm public debt for even more public meeting space? Is it a true need or a want? The city has admitted that projected costs to operate the proposed Camas Aquatics and Events Center exceeds the expected revenue. Who will pay for the projected losses?
According to the ordinance that determines what the city can spend the proposed $78 MILLION for, the vague plans can be changed as the city decides. The bond appears to give the city carte blanche to fund their grand plans, which may not reflect the actual needs or budgets of residents being asked to pay for it .
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