Town Hall to focus on "community assets'

Last year Sisters Country residents made it clear that they did not want an amphitheater as a "community asset" - a project that would have encouraged more people who drive through town to stop and shop in Sisters.

At a subsequent town-hall meeting, other ideas were suggested for consideration, and a majority of the 200-plus attendees voted for the following four projects: Art/Science/History Center; Convention Center; Field House; Winter Sports Park.

Then-mayor Brad Boyd appointed 11 volunteers to a Community Assets Committee (CAC), and for the past nine months members have been analyzing the projects systematically so the community can compare them side by side. During the process, a potential fifth project - which combines three of the ideas into one - emerged.

They will present their findings at a town hall at FivePine Lodge & Conference Center on Sunday, April 26.

Complete descriptions, analyses, and frequently asked questions are available on the City of Sisters' new website (www.ci.sisters.or.us; go to Committees, then Community Assets Committee).

How they might be paid for was not considered by this CAC, but costs by assessed valuation if a bond was floated were estimated for comparison purposes only. Potential locations were not discussed.

• The Art/Science/History Center project involves construction of a building for the purpose of providing exhibition space for displays of art, science, and history. This project would allow local artists an additional place to showcase and promote their art. Local schools could use it to hold science fairs and for field trips, classes, and possibly internships. Artifacts and photos of local history would have a place to be exhibited.

•A Convention Center Project involves construction of a building for the purpose of providing additional space in the community for conventions, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, receptions, and events. It would enhance the Sisters brand and reinforce the concept of Sisters as a destination retreat; act as a clearinghouse for events, partnering with the existing local inventory of meeting places; and offer expanded opportunities and a wide variety of capacities for events. It would help to capture events for Sisters Country that are currently lost to other locations.

Additionally, this facility would provide a gathering space for health, environmental, and business incubation with the potential for job creation.

•The Field House project involves the construction of an all-weather facility on property already owned by the Sisters Park & Recreation District. This building would address the two main barriers to sports participation during the winter months: inclement weather and shorter periods of daylight. The building would include a tennis wing and a turf wing. Throughout the year, expected utilization would be by a variety of youth and adult programs, such as soccer leagues, Ultimate Frisbee, lacrosse open gym, fitness and conditioning classes. Additionally, there would be an indoor walking track that would be heavily utilized in winter.

• A Winter Sports Park project involves the construction of a covered ice rink and an associated service building. The ice rink would have a concrete slab with embedded tubing connected to a refrigerant system to create the ice. During the winter months, the facility would be utilized for skating and curling, and a smaller-scale version of ice hockey. During the non-winter months, it would offer a covered concrete surface in an attractive facility that would be available for activities, such as exhibitions, the Quilt Show and the Sisters Folk Festival, a new permanent venue for the Sisters Farmer's Market, and other such uses.

•The combination project would be a convention center that includes space for rotating art/science/history exhibitions and a winter sports park outside.

This town hall meeting will be an opportunity for all Sisters Country residents to study and compare the projects they voted for previously. Comparative information will be on display at FivePine Conference Center on Sunday, April 26, starting at 4 p.m. Analysis packets and survey forms will be handed out at the door along with a free drink ticket, compliments of FivePine. CAC members will be on hand to answer questions.

Refreshments, compliments of local chefs, will be available while citizens study the information. Then it's your turn to speak up by filling out your survey and expressing your opinion about which project you think will bring more tourism dollars into Sisters with a minimum footprint, or if you don't think any of them would be a worthwhile asset to the community.

When you turn in your survey, you will receive another free drink ticket and enter into a drawing for donated prizes: a flat-screen TV and two rounds of golf at Aspen Lakes.

For those unable to attend the meeting, the survey is available on the Community Assets Committee page on the City's website. The survey results will be sent to the Sisters City Council for further consideration.