Center would benefit area's businesses

I am writing in support of the effort to build a community multi-use centre in Sandpoint. I have many friends in Sandpoint and have visited several times a year for over 20 years.

I consult on the design, products and development of ice rinks and sports facilities throughout the world. This idea is similar to many communities around this country which have pursued and/or are pursuing similar projects.

Communities of all sizes have a common goal and responsibility to provide recreation services to the public. I have seen this happen several times where a town or city has no rink, aquatics facility or multi-purpose venue and they begin the long process of weighing the needs and costs associated with building a project. The typical results are a facility of some size is built and the public is happy with the results.

There are various ways to finance a facility, from bond issues and small tax increases (sales or otherwise) to private/public funding partnerships. A facility like this could be planned in phases to spread out the cost of construction and make it more affordable to finance phase by phase. In the end, Sandpoint will benefit as well the county due to the fact that there are no facilities presently available for public use as described in the project. I would also mention that the "full" use potential for the facility adds more appeal. There are many indoor venue applications such as concerts, plays, car shows, antiques and collectable shows, arts and crafts shows, and the farmers market.

These various end user applications add up to more dollars being spent in the community to say nothing about the recreation programs that children and people of all ages will enjoy.

I wish the community good luck with this project and I hope I will be using the facility during a future visit.

GARY SMITH

Colorado Springs, Colo.