City endorses several community projects

The city of Sisters is backing several community projects -- in spirit, not financially.

Despite a widespread community perception, the City of Sisters is not financing the new SOAR Phase II project and other programs.

City Manager Eileen Stein emphasized that the city has endorsed and prioritized these projects, not financed them.

The city's endorsement puts local organizations/projects in a more favorable position when applying for federal and state grant funding.

The statewide Needs and Issues Inventory is a process developed to collect and respond to the locally-identified needs of local governments.

The city council approved the prioritization of the following list presented by Stein. Approved projects, by priority, that involve public or private community facilities are:

1. Phase II of the Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) building. An estimated $600,000 is needed for an 8,000-square-foot addition that would include a gymnasium, senior citizens center and Central Oregon Community College (COCC) classroom.

2. SOAR four-plex baseball fields. The Kiwanis Club of Sisters has raised close to $40,000, enough to finish the first field with volunteer labor. Another $150,000 is needed to complete the four-plex.

3. SOAR skate park. A skate park is on the SOAR wish list, behind the two above projects. The project requires $150,000.

4. Senior assisted living facility. This project is sponsored by the Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS), which sees a need to provide a subsidized assisted living facility or program for low income seniors in Sisters.

Projects not involving infrastructure or community facilities:

• CATS economic development support. Some $60,000 is needed for staff to support emerging economic development initiatives.
• CATS Arts Incubator project.

  A feasibility study needs a possible $50,000.

• The Sisters Ranger District's Master Plan/Site Redevelopment program is looking for $15,000 for marketing and other planning support for redevelopment of the district's administration site.
• City of Sisters/CATS/Sisters School District have completed a draft business plan for a Sisters environmental center.

  Funding, up to an estimated $75,000, is needed for a feasibility study and project implementation.