Ted Schoenborn, Vice Chairman BMPRD

Candidate Position 4

May 8, 2005

Chamber of Commerce Questionnaire

What capital improvement projects should take priority for the Bend Metro

Park and Recreation District?

As part of the Budget approval process the BMPRD Board of Directors unanimously approved a $48,524,256 CIP budget for the next five years. The projected sources of funding for this plan include the General Fund, SDCs bond funding, alternative funding (gifts, grants and partnerships), and development agreements.

I stand by the Board's unanimous approval of this comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan. It includes Community and Regional Sport Park Development, Neighborhood Park Projects, Trails, Recreation Facility development, Administrative Facility development, and Park renovation projects.

The entire plan is necessary for the District to continue its high standard of performance. However there will be several projects in the next few years that will be highly visible and of great special interest to the City of Bend. Phase One Development of the Pine Nursery will, no doubt, receive the greatest attention by the general public. But the ten (at least) neighborhood parks that will be developed will be of great interest to the specific neighborhoods affected.

Can the Pine Nursery facility become a team sport tourism draw for

Central Oregon and create a stronger local economy as a result?

Yes, this facility should prove to be a plus for the local economy. The Phase One plan which will be considered at the next Board meeting calls for four new adult softball fields and four new soccer fields along with 200 new parking spaces. This will increase the ability for hosting large tournaments in the City and will also provide the sports fields necessary to meet the demand of our active community.

Many other opportunities for growing the local economy are being considered by the Park District. In the future a metropolitan stadium is anticipated at the Pine Nursery to replace the aging and difficult to maintain Vince Genna Stadium. Four other facilities are under consideration in the forthcoming twenty year Comprehensive Plan. An ice rink, a whitewater park, a skateboard park and an equestrian center have been proposed by various interested groups willing to partner with the District in their development.

All of these facilities have been shown to bring in visitors and all complement the existing activities already drawing people to our community. In addition the renovation of the outdoor pool at the Juniper Swim and Fitness Center will increase our already excellent reputation as a host of swim meets. The new 50 meter pool replacing the existing 40 yard pool will make Bend an even more attractive host.

If elected, what would be your top one or two priorities for the park board?

I believe that maintaining the high standards for performance for the Park District must be the highest priority. The District was recognized as one of the four best park districts of its size in the United States last year. This year we are in that select group again and, I believe, a favorite to be chosen as the winner.

Personally, I hope to see the completion of the Deschutes River Trail during my next term. We are tantalizingly close and all of the remaining landowners recognize the significance of completing it. The trail will emphasize the relationship of the Deschutes River to Bend and its parks. Imagine Bend without its parks. It would not be a destination resort without them.