SOAR proposes Sisters parks district

The Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation is assessing the community's interest in pursuing a Sisters-area parks and recreation district.

A public meeting to explore the idea will be held at 5:l5 p.m. on Monday, November 10, in the commons room at Sisters Elementary School.

The meeting has been called by the board of directors of SOAR, a program that has provided educational and recreational activities in Sisters for the past three years.

The success of the program has prompted the 12-member SOAR board to consider broader financing for out-of-school recreational activities, according to board chair Colin Adams.

"We have called this meeting to see if there is consensus among parents of SOAR students and other community members to provide public funding for such a program, and to see if they are willing to work toward establishing a district," Adams said.

Adams noted that ballot measures to form a special tax district such as parks and recreation can only be voted on in even-number years under Oregon law.

"We need to find out early if there is community support for such a district, because it will require a lot of work by more people than just the SOAR board if we want to go for a vote in 1998," Adams said.

Since its inception, SOAR has provided activities for hundreds of Sisters-area youngsters, youth and adults. Programs range from a "latch-key"-type after school and summer sessions to white-water rafting. Prime focus has been on a variety of youth activities not otherwise available in the community.

The SOAR program was established and has been supported through grants and private funding. Organizers and supporters of SOAR have recognized since the beginning that the program might have to seek public funding in order to survive.

"The SOAR board believes that time has come," Adams said.

Adams will take comments or questions concerning the proposal and public meeting at 549-2231.

Written comments may be sent to SOAR, PO Box 955, Sisters.