Half a million dollars— $567,250 to be exact! That’s the yearly operating costs of the proposed Community Center at Academy. That’s the cost now, not 10 years from now. That’s the pill we will be swallowing for eternity.

The idea they’re scrambling for now is rental space to try and offset the cost. Rental can only be to non-profits, making things more difficult. Square footage to non-profits will be lower than current rates and create no tax base. The next idea is to move Beach & Rec or Youth & Family Services into the building.

We have more than enough room at the Town Hall complex. This is another ridiculous idea. This is nothing more than a shell game. This is a lifelong cost. Remember that when this comes to referendum. I encourage your readers to vote “No.” We don’t even have a working gymnasium at Hand and we’re going to spend $14 million on a community center? Then $567,250 plus a year for life. Oh, and the new library isn’t even open yet and we need more space to maintain already.

Paul Padelli

Madison