Are you willing to give C.R. the tools to prosper?

By Tom Saxen

Dedicated resident volunteers have been working more than five years pursuing Fifteen in 5's idea No. 9 for a state-of-the-art multigenerational Community Life Center for Cedar Rapids Metro/Linn County.

We've visited 40-plus facilities in seven states, attended conferences, conducted a countywide opinion survey and held public forums. We were involved in an exercise to determine a potential site, financial viability and potential programming and financial partners.

We are all too familiar with the devastation of the 2008 flood. But from the top of Mount Trashmore, you will see a stunning view of Cedar Rapids and its potential. We offer two perspectives as you consider our community's future:

1. If nothing is done in the next 20 years:

l We will celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the Bender Indoor Pool (no other town in Linn County has a public indoor pool).

l The Ambroz Rec Center will be 125 years old, still not handicap-accessible and with a gym not near regulation size.

l The Witwer Senior Center still may be operating out of a grossly inadequate space for needs of an ever-increasing senior population.

l Linn County's population will increase from 192,000 in 2000 to 315,000 in 2040.

2. Recognize that places like Wisconsin, North Liberty or Dubuque are coming, with tax incentives and desired lifestyle amenities, to attract businesses and workers. A multigenerational Community Life Center would serve as a hub where people of different ages and backgrounds interact in ways that promote community health, wellness and education.

We have identified potential partners whose missions enhance building a sense of community, including:

l Early childhood development – A world-class pilot program addressing the needs of young children, parents and caregivers toward a successful future.

l Wellness - Quality of life, upward spiraling health care costs and improved wellness should be a national priority. Linn County Public Health appears to be a natural partner.

l Older residents – This growing demographic will demand better nutrition, wellness classes, recreational opportunities and social programming to enhance retirements and leisure time. Vital partners could be the Witwer Senior Center and Council on Aging.

l Recreation – Our area continues to lose significant sports tournament tourism dollars because of inadequate facilities. Youth programming and neighborhood policing can be a productive partnership.

l Economic development – New employees and their families bring talent, money and students for our schools, and increase the community tax base. Quality-of-life amenities are required to attract such workers.

We believe that a multigenerational Community Life Center is visionary, offering hope and investment in our future while serving a broader Linn County population.

The question is: “Are you going to step aside and watch other communities prosper or are you going to give our area an asset to leverage additional economic development opportunities?”

Tom Saxen of Cedar Rapids is co-chair of Committee Supporting Multi-Generational Community Life Center. Comments: soaring.eagle51@live.com