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Recreation Millage Information

Thank you again for your support of the August 2023 Recreation Millage renewal and increase. In an effort to keep the public up to date and informed below are the updates as of November 2024 on the five areas that were discussed leading up to the election.

2023 millage graphic
outdoor courts concept

Updates on the above 5 areas

1 and 5) Builds off of Phase I 2019 millage and Keeps money in the classroom

With the overwhelming support of the community, the financial responsibilities of operating the Community Athletic Center (CAC) were primarily lifted off of the school district in an effort to keep money in the classroom. In the 2022-2023 school year, the Recreational Millage covered approximately $230,000 of the nearly $300,000 to operate the CAC.

The renewal of the Recreation Millage in 2023 with the increase of an additional 0.5 mill promised to fully fund the operations of the Community Athletic Center with the hope of expanding hours and/or programming. In the 2024-2025 school year, the estimated cost of operating the CAC is $320,000 and the millage will be collected in the winter of the school year for the first time with the higher millage, generating approximately $480,000. This is more than what is needed to operate the CAC, therefore, there were some other priorities that garnered local support as well, such as the old tennis/basketball courts.

2) Addresses the current tennis/basketball courts

One of the most requested enhancements, in addition to fully funding the Community Athletic Center (CAC), was a renovation of the old tennis/basketball courts. Above you will see a draft rendition of the work that should be completed by June, 2025, and includes:

  • A new basketball court, full length with the option to play two half court games on the side hoops. (Most popular request)
  • With the popularity of futsol soccer indoors at the CAC, the new outdoor futsol soccer court is sure to be popular and also includes the options of two half court games of basketball.
  • There will remain one fully equipped tennis court with the option to play pickleball if tennis is not being played.
  • Finally, there will be four pickleball courts with small dividers to help keep the ball from traveling onto another court.

The above renovation was estimated to cost between $900,000 and $1.4 million. Given the first installment of the Recreation Millage anticipated $480,000, we would not have enough to cover the cost, especially when you consider the operational costs of the CAC to be $320,000. We are grateful for Katie Beemer, City Manager, who was instrumental in securing a grant on behalf of the City, Library, and School that will cover roughly $330,000 of the tennis court project. Therefore, in the 2024-2025 school year, we should have close to $490,000 towards the tennis/basketball court renovations.

We were excited to see the number of local bids to complete the project, and really appreciate Site Solutions, who secured the approval of the Board of Education and City Commission, at a bid of near $790,000, meaning we have to figure out the remaining $300,000. We are leaning on our financial auditors to make sure we find a way that continues to keep the money in the classroom that was intended for teaching and learning. However, this is the primary reason why some of the other priorities might have to wait a couple of years, such as a Community Recreation Director.

3) Provides a Community Recreation Director

This was likely one of the recommendations due to the amount of work it requires to direct a recreational program, community center, middle school athletics, and high school athletics. However, with some tremendous efforts from our new Athletic & Recreational Director, Tony Stennett, and the consistent support from Angel Samp, the recreational programming has been growing. That said, it would certainly be nice to have a dedicated recreation director, part time, in the future. Given the fact that we are about $300,000 short of completing the outdoor recreation renovation, this concept will need to be on hold until the renovations are fully funded.

4) Allows for no cost CAC memberships

In 2025 we were able to offer FREE memberships to all residents of the Fennville Public School District. Membership fees for out of district residents remain low!

 

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