For the week of December 18 - 23, 2002

Janss Center proposal hits political wall

Mayor says it is nearly out of time

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City hosts Thursday meeting

What? 
Ketchum is hosting a meeting that will feature 
the Bill Janss Activity Center

When? 
Dec. 19 at noon

Where? 
Ketchum City Hall

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

With the blowing of political winds in Ketchum, proponents of a new public recreation and community center are no longer sure what to expect from the city.

For roughly seven years, the Bill Janss Activity Center Board has been working toward the goal of building a recreation and community center in Ketchum, and, early in the process, Ketchum appeared agreeable to working as a partner with the Janss Center, said Janss Center Board chair Cynthia Murphy. The agreement, in concept, was that Ketchum would supply property at the city-owned park and ride lot, and the Janss Center would build the facility.

In August 2001, the Ketchum City Council unanimously approved a resolution stating the city would negotiate with the Janss Center to "establish the amount, mechanism and other terms and conditions acceptable to the city for funding the project."

That was 16 months and an administration ago, and political support for the project appears to be wavering.

"We felt that there was a lot of enthusiasm between the Janss Board and the city to make this a reality," said Janss Center Board member Mike Cortese. "And we knew we should allow the new administration time to settle in, but I don’t think it ever revved up again.

"A shift, particularly from the mayor’s office, became apparent. There seemed to be a lack of willingness to continue participating in the evolution of our partnership. We don’t feel like we’re having a dialogue with a partner anymore."

For his part, Ketchum Mayor Ed Simon said the Janss Center is nearly out of time.

"I need to see some substance before I make any commitment, and all I see is a public relations campaign," Simon said. "I’ll give them time when them give me substance."

But Ketchum’s political support for the project has not completely waffled.

"That Ketchum hasn’t done this already, it’s just ridiculous," said Ketchum Councilwoman Chris Potters, an outspoken advocate for community recreation. "I want to see the project go, and I think it’s going to be a good project."

On the mayor’s apparent stance against the Janss Center, Potters said, "He’s definitely trying to put the kibosh on it in any way he can. He’s going to be very difficult on this, and I have no idea why."

Simon said he scheduled a noon meeting Thursday with the Janss Center Board to give it an opportunity to give the city a little more information.

"I hear they’re talking about partnering with the Y," he said. "I’d like to have more details on that partnership."

Officials with the Janss Center and YMCA have scheduled an open house 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the nexStage Theater in Ketchum.

Also, Simon said he has asked the Janss Center to show him that the group is capable of raising the $7 million it said it would to partner with the city to build the facility. So far, the Janss Center has raised just over $1.3 million, but Janss Center officials said they need a commitment of land from Ketchum before fundraising efforts can continue.

"They’re saying, ‘If I could, would you?’" Simon said. "I’m saying to them, ‘Show me that you can and I will.’"

It’s a chicken-and-egg conundrum both Simon and the Janss Center said they are having a difficult time getting past.

The Bill Janss Activity Center is a $14 million, multiple-use recreation and community center facility proposed for Ketchum’s park and ride lot.

Conceptual architectural designs of the Janss Center indicate it would include a regulation ice rink, fitness center, aerobics area and gym, climbing wall and an array of outdoor swimming opportunities. A leisure pool, including lap swimming lanes, would be complemented with several hot pools, which could be heated naturally using the nearby Guyer Hot Spring in Warm Springs Canyon.

 

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