In an effort to gather feedback, the city of Warrenton is inviting the public to fill out a survey on their interest for an indoor recreation center. City officials are currently in the process of determining whether or not the public would support a sales tax initiative and if the city can afford to operate an indoor recreation facility. The 15-question survey asks citizens to indicate what features they would like to see incorporated into the design of the facility, such as a gymnasium, aquatic area, weight room, fitness room, indoor track, and multiple activity court and how much the facility would be used by a household. The survey also asks how much a person is willing to pay in higher sales tax (half-cent, quarter-cent, one-tenth or nothing) to fund the project, whether or not a proposed sales tax increase would be supported in an election, and how much an annual family pass should be. Links to the Internet-based survey can be found at the city’s website (www.warrenton-mo.org), Facebook (Warrenton Recreation Center Project) and Twitter (WarrentonRecCtr). For those without computer access, surveys can be filled out at city hall or can be mailed upon request by calling city hall at 636-456-3535. City officials are encouraging the public to take the time and offer their feedback. The deadline to fill out the survey is the middle of October. “It’s out there and we would like for everyone to let their voice be heard by taking the survey,” said Terri Thorn, director of operations/finance officer. So far, city officials have been pleased with the response. In the first week the survey was available, 120 responses were received. “Obviously we are reaching an audience out there that has an interest in this,” Thorn said. The city has until Jan. 24, 2012, to place a sales tax measure on the ballot for the April municipal election. In July, city officials renewed talks on the possibility of constructing an indoor recreation center, more than two years after voters narrowly shot down a sales tax increase. It was the first extensive discussion about the proposed project that was put on hold due to the downturn in the economy. The proposed one-half cent sales tax sought by the city was defeated 1,587-1,463 on Nov. 4, 2008. Had the proposal passed, the city’s sales tax would have increased from 7.975 to 8.475 cents. A simple majority was needed for passage. The city has hired Ballard King and Consultants, a Colorado-based firm specializing in recreation facility planning and operations, to update a feasibility student. This is the same company that completed the study in 2008. The proposed indoor recreation center considered by city officials then was going to be around 35,000 to 45,000 square feet in size and include an aquatic center, gymnasium walking track, fitness equipment and multipurpose rooms. At that time, the project cost of the new facility was $10.5 million. It was to be built on 7 acres the city owns along Market Street behind the Warrenton 8 Cinema complex. In addition to surveying residents, the feasibility study will provide new estimated constructions costs and operating expenses. Results from the survey will be known once the firm in charge of the study has time to compile the responses.