By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — On Election Day, Naples residents will be faced with the consideration of whether or not to fund a new recreation facility/community center.

The total cost being proposed is a maximum of $7.2 million, and the town will lower the amount borrowed by using $650,000 from the General Fund.

“The warrant article was approved by the [Naples] Select Board because the combination of the General Funds and a 20-year loan provided the lowest overall cost to taxpayers,” according to Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers.

On the ballot, the community center bond is Question No. 5. If this local question passes, the potential impact to the tax rate is .33 cents. The annual payment for the 20-year repayment plan is $482,034.

Town Manager Rogers declined to state his opinion on the proposal to build a community center.

“This is a question for the voters to decide,” he said. 

Naples Recreation Director Brian Crockett, one of the Naples employees likely to be most impacted by the passage of the bond proposal, did not offer up his opinion either.

“I do not believe that it is my place to determine whether a project of this scope is ‘a want’ or ‘a need’ for Naples. The voters should decide the importance of having a community and recreation center in our community. That is why this vote on Nov. 5 is so important,” Crockett said.

He does, however, back the idea of the question being put on the ballot. 

“I support bringing the community and recreation center opportunity to the voters in Naples because I frequently hear from residents of all ages who share with me how a resource of this kind would benefit them and their family,” he said.

Crockett did predict some of the positive outcomes that might be attributed to having a new recreation facility in the town. Some of that is based on comments he has heard from citizens.

“The proposed community and recreation center would be a valuable asset for the Town of Naples. It will provide essential benefits by supporting physical and mental health, fostering social connections, and offering programs for all ages and abilities. The facility will enhance our community’s quality of life, offering spaces for recreation, cultural activities, and events that bring people together,” he said.

Plus, there could be domino effect.

“It also contributes to local economic growth by attracting visitors, supporting businesses, and creating jobs. This investment will help build a healthier, more connected, and resilient community for our residents,” Crockett said.

Nov. 5  will be the second time a community center proposal has gone to the Naples voters.

The upcoming community center proposal will cost between $3 million and $4 million less than what was proposed two years ago.

In November 2022 —  which was the state’s most recent gubernatorial election — the community center bond was voted down. The community center proposal in 2022 was estimated to cost about $11 million.

Following that outcome, the plans were down-sized so that the price tag might be more palatable for the taxpayers.

“It is important for voters to know how much the proposed recreation/community center will cost and how the town will pay for it,” Rogers said.

The town took a months long journey to inform the public about the upcoming vote.

This summer, on July 18 and Aug. 8, the town offered two workshops on the project.

“In the weeks leading up to Nov. 5, the town has posted details of each referendum item on the town website. Additionally, residents are able to obtain hard copies of each referendum item at the Town Office,” Rogers said.

Also, a billboard has been set up on the town-owned land next to the Naples Fire Station. The billboard outlines information on the community center proposal along with a QR code to Online information and pamphlets that people can take.

A sample ballot is available on the town’s website, www.townofnaples.org. Go to the far right-hand side of the home page, and hover the mouse over “Voting/Elections.” Then, click on “November 5th Elections” and find the sample ballot towards the bottom of that page.