So far a feasibility study for a possible community center in Orion Township has revealed surprising results, according to Tom Chen of Etkin Skanska.
Etkin Skanska was authorized by the Orion Township Board of Trustees to begin a study for creating a community center nearly a year ago, after citizens presented a petition of support. Chen said so far, through focus group and scientific surveys, Orion Township looks like an excellent candidate for a center.
“This is an unusual community,” he said. “What we’ve gotten so far has surprised me…you’ve got 61 percent saying if you went for a millage, they would support that.”
Chen explained the study so far had been centered in two areas, focus group surveys and a scientific survey, which was done using a voter’s list for Orion Township from the last election. Etkin Skanska called every 20th name on the list, randomly, and asked a series of questions related to the construction of a community center.
“The service area (for a center) is about a seven-mile radius,” Chen said. “Most people that live in this area are likely to drive no more than 15 minutes…a substantial amount of them commute an hour to work in the morning and an hour to come back.”
Five focus groups were held in Orion Township at elementary schools, the high school, and the senior center. Some of the things people expressed a need for were teen activity space, a pool, a gym and a skate park.
“Three quarters of the people indicated they were interested,” said Chen. “In the over 66 percentile, people wanted child care facilities, adult day care, meeting rooms, a playground, indoor jogging track, picnic areas, a theater…61 percent of the residents indicated support for the community center with a separate millage.”
According to Chen, a significant factor that made a community center look like a viable choice for the township was growth.
“This is a relatively new community and people are moving in from other areas,” he added. “Almost a quarter moved in after 1991…With change, they’ve indicated with the survey, they expect certain things to happen.”
Chen said the average amount of income left over each month to Orion Township residents for spending as they pleased was $816.
“It will be 2-3 years before a community center would be finished,” he said. “We’re looking at a five-year trend, through 2007…in addition to growing, the trend is (residents are) getting a little wealthier.”
Based on the survey results, Chen’s optimistic that the township could continue to investigate the possibility of a community center.
“This won’t be done in any kind of stealth election,” he added.
Larson stressed that the diagrams coming out of the study would not be a final design.
“We just want to show people what could be,” he said.
Gingell said the way a survey is worded could also be an important factor in how many show support.
“People will say they’ll support a millage, until you say it’s X amount of dollars,” he said.
“People sometimes tell you one thing in a survey, but when it’s time to pull the lever in the voting booth, it’s another story,” agreed treasurer James Marleau, citing the defeated library proposal as an example. “Clerk Jill Bastian (who was unable to attend the meeting) wanted me to ask why the Great Lakes Athletic Club was not mentioned.”
The GLAC is scheduled to open on Baldwin Road in November, and will be a private membership club.
“The information we have is not focused on whether or not there will be a GLAC,” said Chen. “We are aware of it…I’m sure they would have some impact on this, but it does not diminish the need as far as the surveys are concerned.
“Identifying the needs, I think, is what we have done,” he said.
Gen Wandrie, Orion/Oxford Community Coalition President, said teen space was sorely needed in the community. “We’re very dedicated to this endeavor…if this does not go through, we’ll pursue other avenues, hopefully. But there is a need.”
Orion Senior Center Director Mary Lou Enneking said some of the seniors were unsure about the project.
“The seniors really hesitate at piggy backing on another project,” she said. “I think we need to look at some ‘senior’ facilities.”
The board agreed to continue the study for the amount originally approved, which was not to exceed $10,000. Chen said so far about half of that amount had been spent.
Etkin Skanska should be back before the board sometime in the fall with cost estimates and possible design ideas. The entire study should be complete by the end of the year, or early next year.