Approved Materials - Reston Community Center

March 25, 2013 Long Range Planning Committee Meeting Report
facility that would help residents do things. She said that she needed to rehabilitate after major surgery.
The pool at RCC Hunters Woods is the reason she was able to get out of the hospital less than 48 hours
after having her knees replaced. She said there’s no good place to put such a facility, but understands
that Baron Cameron Park is the space that’s available.
Michelle Moyer, Reston resident, represents the swim community and said that she looks at the whole
opportunity available here. She believes we need to build a center that supports the growing community
needs, including swimming lessons for kids, competitive swimming and high school swimming. She
believes a growing community needs growing amenities. Her comments received applause/standing
support from a total of 36 attendees that are in favor of building a new recreation center at Baron
Cameron Park.
Carrie Sawicki, Reston resident, asked why this had to be a “me vs. you” situation. She said that there
are a lot of people who simply have questions. She loves Baron Cameron Park and is not against
building a new facility, but is against a facility at Baron Cameron Park. She wants to know where the
feasibility studies on this are and if we’ve considered other locations. She feels that having people count
off in favor of various comments puts attendees into one camp or the other, when many of them simply
have questions and concerns that need to be addressed. She is concerned that the only location
considered is Baron Cameron Park. She wants to know what other location options have been
considered.
Leila responded that we’ve looked at a variety of different options, and have asked for an evaluation of
the cost of land at Tall Oaks, since many people have suggested that site is a good location. We’ve also
asked for an evaluation of land within a half mile of the metro and within a mile of the metro, since many
think a location closer to a metro station would be ideal. We’re looking at what the cost of land would be
if we had to buy the Baron Cameron location. We are trying to find out what the relative costs are. The
Board is also looking into whether or not it’s possible to use proffer money from new development to
offset some of our costs. What we hope the land evaluation tells us is whether or not it would be feasible
or not feasible to locate a facility in an area that is not zoned for recreation.
David Okerson, Reston resident, interjected to ask if Leila just said that RCC was planning to build
something besides a community center. Leila said no. David asked Leila to tell him about proffers and
the contribution RCC is going to get from development. Leila indicated that RCC has no idea what that
might be. He asked if we were considering it. Leila said that the community has suggested that the
development of property in the Silver Line corridor should contribute to the building of a new recreation
center. David asked if she meant in Baron Cameron Park. Leila said it could be in the Park, in Reston, in
the Silver Line corridor or somewhere else. She said it is all a matter for discussion. Mr. Okerson
maintained that this isn’t really about building a Reston recreation center. Leila said that RCC is not
interested in anything at all besides the possibility of building an indoor recreation center for the
community. She said that the Board has a second capital facilities priority to build a performing arts
venue, but that the performing arts venue and indoor recreation center are the only two facilities that the
Board is interested in pursuing.
A woman asked if RCC has considered Lake Fairfax Park as a recreation center site.
Leila responded that the Park Authority has a master plan for that park that does include renovations and
new amenities. She said that the Lake Fairfax Park master plan has recently been completed and
suggested that the question could be better addressed by the Park Authority staff.
Marcia Parkinson, Herndon resident, is a dog park lover and asked if it was possible to do renovations
to existing outdoor pools rather than build a new recreation center. Leila and representatives from
Reston Association indicated that Reston Association owns the outdoor pools and a new recreation
center is an RCC initiative. They are two separate entities.
Jamie Roberson, Reston resident, said it is good to see so many familiar faces. She is a dog park user
and a member of Reston Masters Swim Team. She said the pool at RCC Hunters Woods is crowded
now. She is a big fitness fanatic and held up her medal that she earned the day before in the inaugural
Reston marathon. However, she said Fairfax County has eight dog parks and the Reston dog park is at
capacity. She does not want to negate any the need for recreation space. But she asked where the dog
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