Learn More About Proposed RCC Facility, Colin Mills, RCA President, Reston Patch, March 20, 2013

One of the hottest topics in Reston right now is the proposal for a new Reston Community Center facility at Baron Cameron Park.  There’s no question that such a facility, if it’s built, would have a huge impact on Reston.  It has the potential to add a lot of new or expanded recreation options to the community, and that’s very important with all the new residents and workers that the Silver Line is likely to bring.  But a project this size also prompts a lot of questions: How much will it cost?  Who will pay for it?  Is the proposed location the right one?  How will it impact quality of life factors like traffic and open space?

If you’ve thought about the facility, you’ve probably asked yourself questions like these.  We at RCA have been asking these questions among ourselves as well.  RCC has helpfully compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions about their plan, but we at RCA felt that a community forum would be a good opportunity to help the public stay informed about the project and how it’s progressing.  So next week, we’re holding one, and I’d like to invite all of you to come.

The forum will take place on Wednesday, March 27^th at 7:00 PM at the Reston Association headquarters.  (An RCA meeting about RCC at the RA building… talk about organizations working together!)  RCC Executive Director Leila Gordon will describe the history of the project to date, explain the decisions that have been made so far, and tell us what has yet to be decided and what the process will look like going forward.  She will then answer questions from the RCA Board about the facility, and then members of the public will have a chance to offer input and ask any questions we didn’t think of.

I’m excited about the fact that we’re able to hold this forum early on in the discussion of the new facility.  Many of you may remember that RA and RCC talked a couple of years ago about collaborating on a facility at Brown’s Chapel.  One of the criticisms lobbed at that effort was that the public was involved too late, and many people felt that the plan was presented as a fait accompli.  Having learned from that experience, RCC is including public outreach and information gathering earlier in the process this time.  And I think it’s important to make sure that the public is able to stay informed and weigh in from the start, so that everyone’s views can be heard and considered.

The flip side of this, of course, is that lots of aspects of the process have yet to be decided, so Leila may not have many definitive answers to our questions at this point.  To me, that’s actually a benefit: if the issues we raise haven’t yet been decided, our input will help the RCC Board and staff identify areas to consider in putting together their plan, and it means that we as citizens still have a chance to weigh in and ensure that Reston’s best interests are considered.

From my perspective, two of the biggest questions about the project concern financing and location.  According to RCC’s FAQ document linked above, the current thinking is that the Fairfax County Park Authority would supply the land for the facility, while the construction and operating costs would be funded by Reston’s Small Tax District #5 and through user fees.  Almost all of the County’s other recreation centers (with the exception of the original RCC and the McLean Community Center) have been funded using County-wide tax revenues.  Should Reston be funding the facility’s construction on its own?  Is there a possibility of obtaining more County funding for this project?  Will the RCC Board pursue proffers from the new Silver Line-related development to help fund the facility?

As for the location, using a site already owned by the Park Authority saves on land acquisition costs, which helps keep the project’s total cost down.  But Baron Cameron Park isn’t located particularly near the Silver Line, where much of the new development will likely occur.  Have other sites been considered?  Would it be feasible to locate the facility closer to the Metro?  How can we use bus service and other transit options to provide access to the facility, to avoid adding to our community’s traffic woes?

These are some of the things I think we should consider as we discuss the new facility.  You probably have some other questions or concerns.  This forum is the perfect opportunity to speak out and make sure your thoughts are heard.

I know that the timing of this forum may be tough for some of you, since it falls in the middle of our school system’s Spring Break.  But we felt it was important to get the information out to the public as soon as possible.  I promise that I’ll share what we learn in this space, so that if you aren’t able to make it, you’ll still be informed.  Also, RCC will be holding a series of meetings and public input opportunities, so if you aren’t able to come this time, you’ll still have the chance to offer your input.  I’m sure Leila will explain the future opportunities for public input and feedback at the forum, and I’ll be sure to share that as well.

I believe that the proposed new facility presents both an opportunity and a challenge.  As I mentioned at the beginning, with lots more residents headed our way, we’re going to need places for them to play, in addition to living and working.  RCC’s already bursting at the seams with activity, and a new facility is almost a necessity to meet future demand.  If this is done right, it can be a jewel that serves Reston for decades to come and leads us into our community’s future.  But this is also a major expense, and one that’s planned to be paid for with your tax dollars.  So we must ensure that we get this right, and that whatever is built uses our resources wisely and meets our needs into the future.

I hope to see you – and hear you – on the 27^th.  Thanks to Leila and RCC for their willingness to meet and engage the public.  I’m confident that if we keep this community conversation going, we can come to a decision that’s right for Reston and right for our future.