By Christine Bryant
Staff Writer
The area where the old Reynoldsburg Swim Club now stands could soon look a lot different.
At a town hall meeting Sept. 21 to discuss a proposed YMCA facility that may be built at the old swim club site off Davidson Drive, Reynoldsburg Mayor Brad McCloud updated community members on the city’s acquisition of the property and the changes residents may see to the area.
In August, the city purchased nearly 11.6 acres for $771,000 that runs south of the PNC Bank and post office properties on East Main Street, south to the tree line immediately north of the senior center parking lot, and from Blacklick Creek to the Huber Park subdivision just west of Davidson Drive.
The city is working with YMCA of Central Ohio to possibly develop a center on the property. However, in order to help fund the construction of the center, the city would need to ask the community for a 1-percent income tax increase, with the goal of putting the measure on the ballot in May 2017.
The income tax increase would only affect those who work within the Reynoldsburg city limits, and McCloud said Reynoldsburg City Council will begin drafting ballot language that must be submitted to the Board of Elections by Feb. 1.
In the meantime, the city is looking into the costs associated with demolishing the old pool site.
“It is our intent to have that completely demolished and removed by the end of the year,” McCloud said.
City officials are continuing discussions about the other facilities currently on the purchased property, which include a banquet facility located behind the post office, the old roller rink that now houses a bingo hall and a residence on the west side of the property.
Ideas have included renovating the banquet facility for future rentals and community events, and tearing down the bingo hall to increase room for parking.
