Mar 7, 2019 4 min read

McMURRAY – Peters Township residents will be able to have their say whether they agree with the municipality issuing bonds for improvements at Rolling Hills Park, including some type of swimming facility.

As discussed at township council’s Monday night workshop session, the topic could be addressed either at a future council meeting or perhaps a separately scheduled public hearing.

The township plans to develop its half of the former Rolling Hills Country Club as a municipal park, with the “total projected capital cost” exceeding $21 million, according to information presented at the workshop. Up to $10.8 million is for an aquatic center.

“One of the strengths of Peters Township, I think, has always been: When we go to do larger projects, we do it by consensus of council,” township manager Paul Lauer said during the workshop. “We don’t do these things on 4-3 votes, normally. And I would hope we could get to a consensus if we’re going to go ahead with this, rather than to proceed on the basis that there’s some controversy associated with going ahead with it.”

A subsequent show of hands had four council members – chairman Frank Kosir Jr., David Ball, Jim Berquist and Robert Lewis – in favor of proceeding with the full project, including the pool. Frank Arcuri, Monica Merrell and Gary Stiegel Jr. were opposed.

The township has about $1.6 million to devote to the park’s development, representing traffic impact fees, gas lease funds and a state grant for a trail system to connect with the municipal Arrowhead Trail. That leaves $19.7 million to be financed through bonds.

Paying the debt service would require a real estate tax increase, with a .2134-mill estimate presented at the workshop. The impact would be $71.80 annually for the average township homeowner, based on an assessed value of $336,418.

Lauer said that at the very least, council members should want to consider moving ahead with components of the project addressing infrastructure needs, such as an access road, maintenance and utility connections, plus features including picnic shelters, trails and restrooms.

Some council members voiced support for taking on the additional cost of an aquatic center, a facility with multiple amenities that optimally would support operating expenditures through memberships of residents in and around Peters Township.

“It’s something that our residents have continually mentioned as No. 1 on their wish list, is to have a community swimming pool,” Berquist said, citing low interest rates and rising costs in the future as reasons to proceed now. “Let’s say it’s $75 a year for the average resident to have something that they have said they want. It seems like a small cost.”

Stiegel countered that many property owners would object to a tax increase.

“I was under the impression when we bought this property that it was going to be a phased approach, not everything all in one lump sum,” he said about the development of a park. “I understand where you’re coming from, with rates being low and it’s a cheap time to borrow. But at the end of the day, it’s what the public wants.”

Merrell pointed out that Peters Township School District is including a natatorium in its construction of a new high school on the other half of the Rolling Hills property, representing another consideration for taxpayers.

“I do really feel that we, as a council and a school district, did not consider the residents in looking at whether or not some something built collaboratively would be a better solution,” she said.

Ball summarized his favorable stance by putting the project’s cost in perspective.

“Maybe the most persuasive argument is if you don’t do it now, it’s just going to be more expensive in the future.”