Springs Ranch You’re Not Alone
I just reread Bill Vogrin's commentary in this Saturday's Gazette concerning the long planned Springs Ranch YMCA. I am saddened and feel that I have been mislead. I live in the Vila Loma subdivision on the west side ofPowers Boulevardand have been looking forward to the ground breaking of a YMCA at the proposed location for many years. I understand that the YMCA organization has every legal right to modify existing plans, however, it would appear that from a city planning perspective, this decision would be a no brainer.
HavingPowers Boulevardlocated close by with every conceivable retail outlet imaginable already there, the building of another retail outlet seems ridiculous /redundant. The closest YMCAs are the Southeast Family Center YMCA at2190 Jet Wing Drive, six miles to the south, and the Garden Ranch Center YMCA located off ofNorthAcademy at3280 Montebello Drive West, three miles to the northwest.
The long proposed location seems to make imminent sense. It is located close toPowers Boulevardwhich makes getting there from residential areas both the north and south very easy by car. It is located close toPeterson Roadwhich affords access to walkers, joggers and bicyclists via the established trail system alongTutt Boulevard.
The implied notion that 5.6 acres is inadequate for a YMCA facility doesn't pass the common sense test. It would be one of the larger YMCAs in town. I believe that the VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa and the new LifeTime Fitness facilities were not constructed on over 5.6 acres. Lastly, when the city ofColorado Springsrequires, supports the development of, and approves a "Master Plan" and then organizations such as the YMCA become long standing elements of the plan. I feel that the city should feel some obligation to ensure that the plan is executed. The many Springs Ranch developers were all aware of the proposed YMCA and most likely benefited financially by making proposed residents aware that a recreational facility would some day be built at that location. With the city ofColorado Springsaggressively cutting its Parks and Recreation budget it seems counter to good city planning practices to view this significant change to a long standing plan with no more than an eye for increased tax revenue. There is obviously an increasing need for a YMCA located in this area. When you look at the locations of the YMCA facilities inColorado Springsit becomes very evident that the entire east side of town could strongly benefit from a YMCA at that location. The east side ofColorado Springshas long been overlooked and underserved. However, now that the Powers corridor has been established as one of the city's prime retail areas it becomes increasingly important for city planners to ensure that affordable recreational facilities be given increased priority.
I had always given the YMCA planners very high marks for their foresight in purchasing land near Springs Ranch. And as I mentioned earlier, I have always looked forward to the day when I could put on my gym gear and jog a mile or so to a first rate recreation facility. I think that Steve Tuck's (COS City Planner) attitude and comments as a professional "City Planner" should be carefully questioned. I strongly support the Springs Ranch Community Association’s plans to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision to the City Council to stop the current project and explore what options the east side Colorado Springs community has available. It disappoints me that the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region apparently did not have a representative at theWednesdaySandCreekHigh Schoolmeeting. If perhaps the YMCA has a better plan in the works and had made an effort to present it, the whole issue could have been side tracked. Apparently this was not the case. I would encourage all east sideColorado Springsresidents to take an active interest in this important issue. A healthy thriving community needs a convenient local recreational facility. This issue is not about money, it’s about our community’s quality of life.
Additional thoughts:
There are two other vacant parcels of land in the immediate vicinity adjacent toSandCreekHigh School.
With the proximity ofSandCreekHigh Schoolto the proposed Springs Ranch YMCA there are many synergies which could be taken advantage of: Shared Parking, After school team activities for teens.
The Kum & Go developers obviously realize that the location immediately next to a High School offers increased opportunities for candy, snack, and cigarette sales. All of which they could probably do with out, as well as a location to “hang out.”
Joe Mark
719.550.4636
