HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-22-23 Public Comment - W. Edwards - Community Center a-as-Mw.a
February 13, 2023
TO: City Commissioners
121 N Rouse Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
Cindy Andrus, Mayor
I-Ho Pomeroy, Commissioner
Jennifer Madgic, Commissioner
Terry Cunningham, Commissioner
Christopher Coburn, Commissioner
FROM: Wayne Edwards, Shareholder
Gallatin Valley Health and Fitness Group, LLC (The Ridge)
Dear City Commissioners,
While I fully support and applaud the addition of an Aquatic Center for the
Bozeman community, as a small percentage owner of the Ridge
Athletic Cl ubti am
most certainly opposed to the construction of a city/government
use fitness and recreational facility.
It would be one thing if the Bozeman area was underserved by current private
business recreation and fitness facilities, but nothing could be farther from the
truth. The construction of another non-tax paying government facility (in addition
to the already existing not-for-profit YMCA and the soon to be completed
ompl tend MSU
d cause
Recreational Center) will result in unfair competition, loss o s
significant harm to the tax-paying, private sector businesses that already provide
ample recreation/fitness opportunities to area citizens.
Since property taxes have risen at an almost exponential rate over these past
years, I would encourage the Commissioners to consider the
unnecessary tax that a
community of property owners of adding an additional
and multi-recreational use facility would impose.
I would further urge the Commissioners to support and promote the role of
private, small business in our community, rather than look for opportunities to
unfairly compete with them.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter,
Wayne Edwards