With an array of existing amenities that includes a largecommunity park, walking trails and a swimming pool, Monroeville ispoised to add another recreational resource -- a sports complex.
A group of council members is working with the municipality'sparks and recreation department to determine the feasibility ofleasing or buying the former Monroeville Sports Center off MacBethDrive.
Monroeville's recreation programs need more space, according toThird Ward Councilman Ron Harvey, a member of the parks andrecreation committee.
'We get residents calling us saying they lost a facility becauseschool programs need practice,' Harvey said. 'I'm not trying to slamthe school district, but their facilities must go to them first.'
A new building likely would be out of the question because of thecost, Harvey said.
Giving people somewhere to play sports such as dek hockey,basketball and volleyball in an existing facility, he said, wouldhinge on making it self-sufficient.
It could give municipal employees a place to exercise, makingthem healthier and perhaps giving the municipality a break on health-insurance costs.
'It may, in the long run, pay for itself,' Harvey said.
Uses could expand to include arts and crafts, dance classes, fineart programs and painting, said John Balicki, parks and recreationdirector for Monroeville.
'There are so many adult programs we can't address,' he said. 'Ona personal level, I feel bad because the No. 1 health epidemic inour country is inactivity. Obesity is a result of inactivity.'
Council discussed an indoor pool inside a recreational facilitywhen it planned the community park, according to Second WardCouncilman Dave Kucherer, but the price tag got in the way.
Monroeville had about $14 million to spend on the park. Buyingthe land and building took nearly all of it, about $12 million.
