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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1168.085 2006-2008 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: Nancy Alvord [alvord@bigisle.net] Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:48 PM 200$ JUN 13 PM 1 8 t2 To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Cc: Mel Macy Subject: Council Testimony June 13 Attachments: Parks Testimony June 2.doc County Council: I have been advised to email this testimony document to you toclay. I will at the County Council office in Waimea today at 5:30 to present this same testimony. Thank you very much, Nancy Alvord Gomm t4m No 1*5 Ref. Toe aee I Ref., DcOe JUNI . 2008 6/13/2008 Date: June 13, 2008 To: Council Chair Hoffman and members of the County Council Submitted by: Nancy Alvord 65-1198 Kahawai St. Kamuela, HI 96743 On behalf of: Mel Macy and the Waimea District Park Builders Regarding: Bill 285 My name is Nancy Alvord and I am here to testify on behalf of Mel Macy and the Waimea District Park Builders. My comments will be addressing Bill 285 that authorizes the County to issue bonds for $112 million to pay for capital improvement projects. A group of businessmen and community members, having heard the long standing cry for more recreational facilities in Waimea, have banned together to build the Waimea District Park. This group of volunteers has been working long and hard for the last year and a half to get to where we are today. The community of Waimea has long out grown the existing park facility in the middle of town across from Parker school. The playing field is used for soccer, football, and little league baseball for ages 4 through 16. The field is also used for women and senior softball leagues and tournaments. On several occasions the fields are in use and the little leaguers have to play their home games in Honokaa. I could go on and on about specific situations that reflect the need for more playing fields in Waimea. I only have three minutes and I think members of the County Council like all of Waimea are well aware of the need. Parker Ranch has donated a 21.5 acre parcel of land that will be assigned to the County of Hawaii for the park. The land has been part of a long standing obligation, 16 years to be exact, of the land owner and just been waiting for the community to come along and take the lead on the project. The County and the Waimea District Park Builders requested funding for the planning and design of the park and it passed both times it was heard at the County Council meetings in 2007. Based on those approvals we aggressively pursued the path towards construction of the park. We met with the DOT to discuss access, Dept. of Water Supply to discuss the availability of water. We got the Army Corp of Engineers to move the parcel up the priority list of unexploded ordinance removal. This work was completed in 2007. We have had community meetings to get the word out and seek input. We have had set down discussions with the neighbors to address any concerns they may have. The military has offered equipment and man power when we need it for construction. We have attained 501c(3) status to solicit private funds and in kind donations to help with construction costs. Our first fund raising event is scheduled for July. We have selected the planner consultant and are in the final stages of contract negotiations with them. In short we are moving ahead at a relatively rapid pace. The Big Island really has an opportunity here, to realize the dream of having a District Park in Waimea. We have a willing land owner and we have a very progressive group of citizens working with the county to push this project ahead. It would be a shame to not take advantage of this situation and give Waimea something they really need. It saddens me to think that all this momentum could come to a stop. If Bill 285 fails and the planning and design funds are lost I'm afraid so too is the Waimea District Park. We ask for your support of this project by voting in favor of Bill 285.