THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502160111
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM HOLDEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Nine months after it agreed to spend $1.98 million to add a gymnasium and swimming pool to the Seatack Community Center, the City Council on Tuesday approved by an 8-2 vote a more expensive plan to enclose the pool.
The council also agreed to buy about 11 acres of land adjacent to the center - land considered crucial for the project, regardless of whether the pool is indoor.
The land purchase is not expected to increase the center's cost because land acquisition was included in the original cost estimate. But by adding an enclosed pool, the project's cost will rise to at least $2.3 million.
The two actions were the latest in a decade-long effort by champions of the historically black neighborhood to expand the community center, an ambition that took on renewed enthusiasm after the city built three more recreation centers and renovated a fourth for more affluent neighborhoods.
``When council first decided to build the pool and gym in Seatack, it had no idea what the $1.98 million would actually buy,'' said Councilwoman Louisa M. Strayhorn, who represents Kempsville, but who has helped carry the Seatack Community Center banner.
After her election last year, she joined Councilman Linwood O. Branch III, who represents the Beach borough, in his ongoing efforts to expand the center.
``All they knew is that it would be on the same land and that there would be a pool, changing rooms and a gym. But for the money allocated, we cannot get an indoor pool,'' she added. ``An indoor pool is what the citizens were looking for. If you had an outdoor pool, it would only be usable for three months of the year. All I'm trying to do, in terms of this request, is say: If you're going to do it, let's do it right.''
Enclosing the proposed pool will take an estimated $338,000.
The current facility, at 141 S. Birdneck Road, consists of meeting rooms and little else. At 3,800 square feet, it pales in comparison to the city's 83,000-square-foot recreation centers in Princess Anne, Bayside and Great Neck built at a cost of about $33 million. When expanded, the new Seatack center would be about 25,000 square feet.
The project would give the community an 8,165-square-foot gym with one full-length basketball court, although it is not clear whether the court's surface will be wooden or vinyl.
At one time, residents had hoped the city would build a version of the larger centers. But zoning restrictions and land use problems prevent the Seatack center from approaching the scale of its companion centers.
``You can't put a big center at the existing site because of Navy air rights and space limitations,'' said Susan D. Walston, director of Department of Parks and Recreation.
``The land is affected by wetlands regulations and by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act,'' she added. ``Out of the 11 acres the city wants to buy, only about 2.5 acres are developable for permanent amenities. But the city has to buy the whole parcel because that's what the owners want to sell.''
If acquired, a portion of the new land would be used for parking while much of the existing site would be developed to accommodate the expanded center.
James C. Lawson, the city's real estate agent, said the 11 acres the city wants to buy is owned by two dentists, Albert and Stephen Konikoff, who are currently in negotiations with the city.
Tuesday's action means the project will be placed on the city's Capital Improvements list for consideration in May. Plans are expected to be completed next January with sealed bids taken shortly afterward. Construction should begin in April 1996 with completion in April 1997.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL by CNB