The Crossville City Council will have a work session today at 2pm. The only item on the agenda is the proposed indoor recreational center. The City has already attempted to pass a budget resolution to build the rec center but was met with tremendous push back from the community.

The main concern – cost.  Estimated cost for the rec center was around 55 million dollars.  Dozens of citizens showed up at the meeting scheduled to pass the budget for the rec center and had a lot to say.  In the end, Mayor Crawford tabled the rec center proposal saying they would wait for more information on cost, construction and feasibility of an indoor rec center.

Todays ‘special called’ work session will have a representative from Upland Design Group present to discuss further options for the rec center.  The City has investigated other city’s such as Morristown, who have built similar indoor rec centers at about half the cost of the proposed Crossville facility. 

The main question citizens have is how much will property taxes go up to pay for the rec center. Thus far estimates are that approximately a dollar increase would be needed to meet all the costs involved.  That dollar could mean hundreds of dollars increase in city property owners taxes every year – which could also equal a significant increase in rent for residents and business owners. Most in attendance for the last meeting on the rec center voice their concerns that there are many more infrastructure needs in Crossville the need tending to first before an indoor recreation center should be considered