Rec Center Vote Coming Tuesday

Facility may close if millage fails
​
Voters in the city of Fremont along with Dayton Township and Sheridan Charter Township will be making a decision on the future of the Rec Center when they go to the polls Tuesday. The Center offers a wide variety of programs including swimming, a fitness center and is the area’s  hub of indoor pickleball.
We caught up with Fremont Community Recreation Authority Board Chair Bryan Kolk for a few questions.

Why is the Rec Center seeking a millage?
Rec center is seeking to renew their millage which is nearing expiration.  We asked for the original millage nine years ago after we had been operating for about three years and thought we knew what the cost was going to be.  It wasn't until later that we sorted out the final entanglements and ended up operating in the Red.  For the past four years Dawn Finch and Jon Grimes have donated their time and efforts to run the center which is the only reason we are still open.  The costs of everything have risen sharply in the past few years dramatically increasing operating expenses.  This is why we are also asking for a 1/4 mil increase.

Are there other financial supports?
Last year the three municipalities that started us (City of Fremont, Dayton Township and Sheridan Charter Township) assisted us with the purchase of many new pieces of workout equipment. Other than that, we have a couple modest lease agreements and also some membership revenue.

How long has the Rec Center been open?
The Rec Center has been open for 12 years.  The effort began about 20-25 years ago when the three municipalities combined to complete a Master Plan and had a Recreation Committee.  The Committee operated as such until about 9 years ago when it became an Authority and took over the Rec Center from the School to operate it independently from the Municipalities.

Who benefits from the Center? What groups are your primary users?
The entire Fremont Area benefits from the Rec Center.  Residents of the City of Fremont, Dayton Township and Sheridan Charter Township can take advantage of a reduced rate on the usage whether it's an individual or family membership, pool rental, gym rental or the rental of other space.  We have members from a large area of Newaygo County as well as some persons from Muskegon and Oceana Counties.  One popular use of the Rec Center is for students to hang out between school letting out and having to be home.  We are a safe space that it is easy to congregate at and just hang out, work out or shoot a few hoops. We are also used by a number of more organized groups such as Fremont Wrestlers, Lap swimmers, water aerobics, and things like home shows, gun shows or pancake breakfasts.  The Fremont Fire Department holds some training there as does the Newaygo County Law Enforcement Dive Team.

 What will be the result if the millage doesn’t pass?
If our proposal does not pass we will not be able to remain open.

Anything to add?
The ballot language had to be written by an attorney which makes it difficult to completely understand to begin with.  There is one section that mentions the City of Fremont Downtown Development Authority and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.  No, we are not trying to share with either of these.  There is a law about TIFA (Tax Increment Finance Authority) which is a way for places like Downtown Development groups to capture a portion of the millages levied on properties in these well defined areas for their own use.  This millage would be subject to that as are the mileages for the County Road Patrol, Commission on Aging, Medical Care Facility and others.


​

---