- February 6, 2025
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In the latest step toward deciding what it would take to develop a new community center, the city of Port Orange has published a survey asking residents what facilities or amenities should be included.
During the Tuesday, Feb. 6, city council meeting, Port Orange Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair Jack Wiles said community center developments could cost up to roughly $17 million to $9 million depending on what items are installed and timing on construction in a new building or if the city decides to expand upon the current facility.
Vice Mayor Scott Stiltner told Wiles he wanted to make sure no one has any reservations when it comes to discussing various ideas for planning.
"I want you to make sure that your board 100% knows every idea should be on the table," Stiltner told Wiles. "That's what those boards are for.
Ideas for expansion include rooms with sliding walls to open up for larger spaces, a running track around an indoor basketball court and an indoor rock climbing wall. Wiles said the board had discussed the idea of replacing Volusia Forever and the Environmental, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor tax dollars with a self-imposed tax for parks and rec though a possible referendum to keep those dollars in Port Orange.
Wiles said he is not asking for taxes to go up but rather to keep the dollars local as this would be a tax replacing another existing tax.
"The city of Port Orange contributed net dollars, through taxes, of roughly $568,000 last year though ECHO in addition to Forever of 257,126 and another $311,000 respectively for a total of $1,136,000," Wiles said.
Wiles said if the city goes in the direction of expanding the gym, because there is already a building and land, the additional funds could come from ECHO. However, if the city does use ECHO grant money, individuals can't be charged for attending events.
Currently, ECHO is available until 2020 and could likely be renewed.
"We didn't get well treated by ECHO and I think those days, hopefully, are over," Councilman Bob Ford said. "Because going forward I think we as a board are committed to making sure this city gets its fair share of its tax payers' money."
