Proceeds from 1¢ sales tax would help finance project 

A plan to build a multi-purpose civic center at an estimated cost of $8-10 million was discussed at an hour-long meeting of the Priceville Community Recreation Association Monday night.

Board member Mayor Melvin Duran went on record as being in favor of passing a 1¢ sales tax to help finance the project.

A pre-design concept of the proposed facility was presented by the architectural and engineering firm of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood with offices in Birmingham and Huntsville. David Parker PE, vice president of marketing & business development and Gary L. Owen Jr. AIA, vice president of architecture, represented the firm.

“We’re at a starting point,” said Parker, a resident of Priceville. “It started as a sports complex a couple of months ago and has grown to a civic center with the capacity and amenities to attract travel team ball tournaments.”

“We asked you to come because we want your ideas about what a civic center should provide for the community,” Duran said.

Owen introduced a 55,750 square foot floor plan. It contained four meeting rooms, a fitness center, concessions area, four regulation basketball courts, bleachers on both sides, racquet ball courts, locker rooms, restrooms and a full-size working stage.

PCRA board members and others recommended adding a full-function kitchen, baseball and softball hitting and pitching lanes, an archery range and an exercise room.

Duran singled out an open lot at the corner of River and Bethel Roads as a possible location for the facility.

“It’s near the new high school and visible from the interstate,” he pointed out. “The property is part of North Park and owned by the county commission.”

“The county commission is 100 percent supportive of what you’re planning and will work with you on the property,” said Commission Chairman Ray Long.

Duran said the town improved its position to finance a civic center earlier this year when it paid off a sewer bond issue requiring $250,000 annual payments.

“The payback on a $6 million debt would be $400,000,” Duran reported. “Another penny sales tax is estimated to bring in $400,000, and we have a current surplus of $3 million.

“I have talked to several people about adding a penny to our sales tax, and I haven’t had anybody knock down my door,” Duran stated.

He pointed out that some of the revenue generated by the civic center would be used to help pay off the debt.

“We still have to determine what our debt limit is and what the cost will be to operate and maintain a civic center.”

Duran estimated it would take three to six months to put together a plan that everyone can agree on.