Residents invited to apply for community center working group

Parks and Recreation Public Service Announcement

Missoula Parks and Recreation invites residents to apply for a working group to develop a master plan for a new community center in McCormick Park. The proposed Currents Center for Recreation and Creativity would be constructed as an addition to Currents Aquatics Center and would host recreational and social programs for all ages, income and ability levels.

Residents are encouraged to apply for the working group or learn more about the project at www.engagemissoula.com; the working group application deadline is March 29.

For decades, Missoulians have identified the need for indoor recreation space to provide opportunities to lead a healthy lifestyle and come together as a community regardless of the season. The McCormick Park Master Plan, adopted by the City in 2003, included a community center in Phase 2 of park development.

The Master Plan for the Currents Center will represent the community’s vision for the project and set a course for future development as funding becomes available. A comprehensive master plan also allows the City to seek funding for the project via public and private partnerships, state and federal grants, developer impact fees and the City budget.

The Currents Center Working Group will meet approximately four times between April and December of this year and collaborate with residents, stakeholders, the selected design consulting firm and the project’s Technical Group and Steering Team to develop the conceptual master plan.

Residents will have ample opportunity to participate in the planning process, including an on-going public opinion survey at engagemissoula.com. A series of public open houses are planned for later this spring and next fall to discuss the master plan and solicit comment. When the draft conceptual master plan is completed later this year, Parks and Recreation will present it at several public meetings with opportunities for comment.

Learn more about the project and apply for the Working Group at www.engagemissoula.com. The Engage Missoula site also features a public opinion survey, a place to ask questions about the project, and a link to sign up for project updates. Call 721-PARK (7275) for more information.