ba/rec.pr               97-211                                  Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530,
                                    Greg Bayor, 301-217-6820

LONG RANGE PLAN
FOR RECREATION CENTERS
ANNOUNCED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE    For Immediate Release: June 30, 1997 

     A long range plan containing guidelines for development of recreation and aquatic
centers in the County for the next 20 years was released today by County Executive Douglas
M. Duncan and the Department of Recreation.
     The Facility Development Plan, FY 1997-2010 updates and revises the department's
1988 facility recommendations and presents the importance of community centers to the
County.  The document also provides a "formal plan" to guide the County Executive and
Council in making future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) decisions.
     In announcing the plan at Baker Middle School in Damascus, Duncan said the
recommendations presented "outline a plan for development facilities that are critical to
recreation activities and programs that will affect County residents now and well into the 21st
century."
Prototype/Site Selection
     In addressing the community center of the future, the plan proposes facilities that
maximize "program flexibility and  .adapt to changing community demographics and leisure
interests."  Future centers would be "slightly larger than those developed during the past
decade and will incorporate features that will save capital, operating and maintenance costs."
                                  -more-

LONG RANGE PLAN .RECREATION CENTERS                                           2-2-2-2

     Sites selected for centers should have good visibility, be served by public
transportation and be located near the densest part of the service area.  The plan states the
importance of locating centers "where they can be most effective in generating and sustaining
community identity."  Sites should also be inviting to users such as young children and
persons with disabilities.

Development Criteria/Sequencing    
     Criteria and the sequence for future facilities was based upon input from public forums
held throughout the County over a two-year period.
      Recreation Director Greg Bayor called this input "significant.  The feedback from
residents throughout the County was essential in our being able to formulate this plan.  We
can't thank them enough."
     The criteria for creating centers are:
          - Population density that is currently underserved by existing facilities;
          - Geographically isolated communities;
          -  Population/socio-economic make-up, with communities of more children,    
               higher diversity and/or fewer leisure options being given priority;
          - The availability of time-sensitive cost savings opportunities, such as federal
              grants or private sector donations; and
          - Expressed interest and support from specific communities.
                                  -more-

LONG RANGE PLAN...RECREATION CENTERS                                           3-3-3-3

     In the plan, the Recreation Department proposes that the County maintain the same
rate of development as it has for the past few years, through difficult economic times.
     Following development of centers in Germantown, Fairland, East County and
Rosemary Hills, which are approved in the current CIP, the department recommends the
following sequence of development:
     Damascus, Mid-County, North Bethesda, White Oak/Kemp Mill, West County and
Kensington.
     The County Council will be briefed on the plan in early July.
     For more information about the plan, call the Montgomery County Department of
Recreation at 301-217-6820.
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