Read from the group "Vote No to Referendum 5C"

and

Read from the group "Vote Yes to Referendum C"

"Are the Metro District and Master Association corrupt? Our family received The Connection yesterday and was shocked and appalled by the articles regarding the Referendum 5C vote. We had hoped that Linda Nuzum would stand by her word and honor the results of the November 5 election, as she openly stated in the Master Association meetings and privately to concerned individual homeowners, but somehow, The Connection left us doubting that will happen.

To suggest that applause is in order for allowing us an opportunity to vote on the issue and that somehow all voices were not heard is a cheap and sick defeatist tactic. The Metro District and Master Association should be concentrating their efforts now on refunding the 11 mills of surplus tax revenue that they intended to use to pay for this recreation center, but instead they are focused on new ways to get the recreation center pushed through.

If your voice was not heard, why would you contact Judy Dahl of the Metro District? Doesn't it make more sense for you to contact Douglas County and let them know of the discrepancy? The Metro District has no way of knowing whether you were qualified to vote on Election Day. They don't know your registration status or residency status as required for voting under Colorado State Law. Contacting the Metro District (i.e. special interest group) provides them with more erroneous 'facts'; that they can then spew to our community in The Connection. So please, if your voice was not heard, contact Douglas County, not your HOA representative or Metro District Manager.

Finally, as a father, I just have to personally comment on the VOTEYES literature and correspondence that we received at our home. This group's position was that having a recreation center would build "community". They then approached us with boycotting a neighbor's local business, exploited our children (listen to our children) for the vote and then slammed the VOTENO literature we received by suggesting that nobody on the VOTENO committee did their research regarding the issues. What exactly does community mean to you? It certainly means something different than being in communion with your neighbors. Perhaps backstabbing, being opportunistic and bearing false witness better suits your definition. I, for one, am not interested in holding community with people like you."

"To the majority who voted against the rec center and the financial train wreck it invited, don't let your guards down. Those who favored it will be trying to end run this democratic election process, I fear. Watch the actions of the Master Association and the Metro Board closely in the near future. Call the members of each to let them know your opinion."

"According to the Castle Rock News Press dated Nov 6, Referendum 5C won by 58 votes - 1255 for and 1197 against

But the Denver Post Douglas County results at

http://63.147.65.175/novresults/dougco.html show 1197 for and 1255 against which means it was defeated.

Anybody know the conclusive results?"

"Contrary to the article published in the Castle Rock News Press on November 2, 2002, the Vote Yes for Referendum 5C campaign committee (i.e., CPN Residents for Rec Center) has not initiated nor does it condone a boycott of Coffee Cravings."

Gilbert, Treasurer – CPN Residents for Rec Center

Please, we all came out here for a little bit (not much, mind you) but a little bit of a difference from the majority of communities in South Metro Denver. Next thing you know we'll have a another Nail Salon called "CPN Nails 5"

Great to hear comments about Greenwood Athletic coming down within 5 miles of the house, too. Just pony up the cash for a private club, because they understand business rules where they apply. If we make this a public offering, we'll have mixed reviews at best and consistent political battles on this issue.

CPN has a great deal going for it. I feel for the people in Hamlet, Retreat and the areas here that were affected by our good buddy Vickers down the hill. Learn from those that have walked before you, my fellow CPN dwellers."

Let's do some simple math, folks. Highlands Ranch has three rec centers for 25,000 plus homes...we're planning one for a neighborhood with 2300 homes currently and 3200 projected at build-out. We will never have the number of residents in our neighborhood to support a $10-12 million rec center."

I think this project is way too expensive and that the money ought to be used instead to build and improve the parks already existing or planned and to pay down substantially more of the community's existing $52 million water and sewer debt. By then we will know for sure how many new homes and businesses have been added to help shoulder all these extra costs to the homeowners."

My wife and I were among those polled and we were not asked if we supported the project or if we would be willing to pay for it with our taxes and/or additional fees. The first (and only) question was if we would use it, and realizing the attempt to slant the results we said no. I think many supposedly supportive answers came from people who felt if it was built and they were forced to pay for it, then they might as well use it.

This poll was designed to provide the results those pushing for the rec center wanted. I only hope the question on the ballot is clearly and unambiguously worded, so the ill-advised proposal is defeated.

And for those of you who want to spend everyone's money for your recreation, what's next? A bowling alley? A pool hall?

Why don't we buy the Ridge so I can play golf for twenty bucks? Too narrowly focused and too expensive a puchase? So's the rec center."

I am glad that the metro district taxes will be reduced! My qusestion is, How much more will my taxes be reduced if the rec. center is not build? Or what is projected cost to the Metro District on a yearly basis."

"Our family is deeply concerned over the proposed recreation center for the following reasons:

1. The 11 mils of property tax currently in surplus that the Metro District collects from each home should be given back to the homeowners, not dedicated to a recreation center.

2. Under the TABOR Act, the Metro District has a $52 million outstanding debt that needs to be paid off before any more capital debt can be incurred. Thus the reason for the referendum. Under TABOR, if a referendum passes to take on additional debt to build this recreation center, the good people of this community have given up their legal rights to contain debt under TABOR.

3. Our family's cost to have a membership at the proposed recreation center [could be] $1200/year. The proposed facility is not worthy of this kind of annual fee. We were not aware when we purchased this home that we would incur an annual fee/tax of this magnitude.

4. The preliminary feasibility report states that any recreation center generates a deficit annually. Ours would generate roughly $2.3 million in the first year with the possibility of exponential increases thereafter. Under any business scenario, this recreation center is a losing proposition.

5. It's cheaper to be a member and not live in the community, yet this was supposed to be a "community recreation center". Also, there are not enough of us to support this recreation center so why wasn't this issue tabled long ago?

6. We don't believe the community has been presented with the facts regarding this recreation center and we don't understand why.

Thank you for a chance to provide input."

"I am writing to express my opposition to the planned recreation center. My opposition is four-fold:

(1) I do not understand why the financial projections being shared never include as part of the annual cost to me of the additional property taxes I will be paying to support the center. $1,300,000 projected taxes divided by 3200 homes at build out translates to $400 per year per CPN household whether I use the facility or not.

(2) Projections show that a non-resident will pay $200 more than a resident for an annual pass while as I noted above every household in CPN pays $400/year.

(3) I do not plan to use the facility on a regular basis.

(4) I understand that Greenwood Village Athletic Club has plans for a facility at Happy Canyon and Santa Fe thus providing two alternative clubs (the other being Castle Rock)."

"Instead of using taxpayer dollars on building a public facility, I suggest we put our efforts into recruiting a private center to build on the land already dedicated to an indoor facility.

South Suburban Recreation has already committed to building a facility in Lone Tree at I-25 and Lincoln, 24 Hour Fitness is already 8 miles up I-25 on Lincoln, Lady of America fitness is occupying a place next to Safeway in Castle Pines North and Greenwood Athletic Club is planning on building at Happy Canyon and Santa Fe. That's 4 clubs within 8 miles of my door. Doesn't anyone think we are a bit oversaturated with health clubs? What is this the Nail Salon Business?

Greenwood Athletic Club has approached Castle Pines Village to build a complete private health center in the Village area. We should see if they want to build in our area instead. Give them a reduced tax rate or even free land. This would solve the problem of tying taxpayer dollars to fund a public recreation center and provide a quality family recreational facility as well as bring in additional tax revenue to the District, which would help to reduce our already high property taxes."

"We are a family of five with three young boys and have resided in CPN for over eight years. We truly enjoy the quality of life CPN affords our family. Although the idea of a community recreation center sounds enticing for a family like ours, we are opposed to funding it via increased dues and tax levies for the following reasons:

First of all, for the first time in eight years our property taxes decreased last year. Even so CPN still has some of the highest property taxes in the Denver Metro area. The thought of paying out more to the Master Association and/or CPN Metro District to fund the construction and maintenance of a community recreation center goes against the grain of reducing the overall cost of ownership in CPN.

Secondly, although our family would be a significant user of a such a facility it would not be fair to our neighbors, most of whom are empty nesters in their retirement years, to pay their proportionate cost of the facility. We say this because many of them have indicated to us that they would not use such a facility at all.

To conclude the only fair way to fund and maintain a community recreation center is to charge those who use it a disproportionate amount relative to those who don't use it. We know this would cost our family more in the long run but are willing to pay more in order to be fair to all residents in CPN who would not use the facility."

"I completely agree with Janet Conner (Bristle Cone Village Patio Homes) and Barbara Villiotti (KnightsBridge). Our community is also mostly adults at or near retirement.

I do not consider a Rec Center to add any value to my property as "empty nesters" would most likely be the potential purchaser for my house. The added cost could be a deterrent to a sale. Anyway, there are already several facilities in the immediate area for those who wish to use them.

CPN is not Highlands Ranch and we have worked hard to remain different. If people desire those facilities, maybe Highlands Ranch is more suited to that lifestyle.

Lastly, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, how can we even consider such an expense until the Metro District bonds are paid? Aren't our taxes high enough now? I feel very strongly that the people who want to use such facilities should pay for them-not the rest of us."

"I have lived in Castle Pine North for two years. I live in the Bristle Cones Village Homes Development area, I am also a registered voter in Douglas County.

I am very concerned about the issue of this Center. I for one am against the building of a recreation center in Castle Pines North, and the methods being used to get it built.

If Douglas County wants to build a recreation center in our area great, lets have every one in Douglas County vote on the issue, and not confine the costs and issues to a small HOA such as ours that really can't afford a multimillion dollar recreation center.

It seems to me that every time a meeting or survey comes up, the questions are slanted in such a way as there is never a definitive question asked as to a yes or no question, instead the questions are slanted in such a way that no matter how you may want to answer the question, it appears that you are in some way for the center.

Almost all recreation centers that are owned and operated by City's or County's, run at a deficit and need additional subsidy's from the tax payer's each year, let alone a slightly populated area such as ours.

It is perfectly clear to me that the Castle Pines North Area will never have enough home owners to justify this type of expenditure, let alone the cost to operate a recreation center.

This area has already been through one bankruptcy on bond issue's, you would think we would learn from our previous mistakes. We are still paying off the last batch of bad bonds and I for one do not want to be responsible for another set of bad bonds.

If this was such a great idea, you would think that one of the National Recreation Business Centers would build one of their centers in our area.

If people in our area want to belong to a recreation center, I would suggest that they join the Castle Rock Recreation Center just "ten minutes" away and at a cost of just $30.00 dollars a month."

"Rec Center? No Way!!!!

Castle Rock already HAS a rec center. If you want to use it, go ahead. Don't put any additional financial burdens on us residents of CPN by building another one here!!!!!!!

I didn't move here to be close to "conveniences", I moved here because it was unique and scenic. If you want rec centers, strip malls, movie theaters, & those ugly security-style fences, MOVE TO HIGHLANDS RANCH!!!!"

"Instead of using taxpayer dollars on building a public facility, I suggest we put our efforts into recruiting a private center to build on the land already dedicated to an indoor facility.

South Suburban Recreation has already committed to building a facility in Lone Tree at I-25 and Lincoln, 24 Hour Fitness is already 8 miles up I-25 on Lincoln, Lady of America fitness is occupying a place next to Safeway in Castle Pines North and Greenwood Athletic Club is planning on building at Happy Canyon and Santa Fe. That's 4 clubs within 8 miles of my door. Doesn't anyone think we are a bit oversaturated with health clubs? What is this, the Nail Salon Business?

Greenwood Athletic Club has approached Castle Pines Village to build a complete private health center in the Village area. We should see if they want to build in our area instead. Give them a reduced tax rate or even free land. This would solve the problem of tying taxpayer dollars to fund a public recreation center and provide a quality family recreational facility as well as bring in additional tax revenue to the District, which would help to reduce our already high property taxes."

"Making lots of friends and getting to know our neighbors is what makes living in Castle Pines North (CPN) so unique and special for us. As like many of you, we are not native to Colorado. We are a family of four with two young boys who moved here from California six years ago. We found CPN to be a healthy and vibrant community made up of old and new, as it includes young families, empty nesters, stay-at-home moms, two income families, and plenty of young kids and teenagers.

The prospect of a local recreation center is very appealing to me, as it offers our community many benefits. With the proximity of the facility being very close, a user-friendly rec center will bring many of us together with common interests. Relationships can be developed and nurtured.

Given the year-around program at Buffalo Ridge Elementary, the rec center offers a place where moms can feel safe and children can recreate during their off hours. As well, the new facility offers a healthy outlet to our very large population of teenagers. Adults will also have a place to recreate, exercise and stay active.

To those who would argue against a local rec center on financial grounds, let me just say that the average household income at CPN is approaching $100,000. So long as you are reasonable, it would seem that we should be able to come up an affordable solution for all concerned. A rec center may make our community safer and more attractive, resulting in an increase to the value of our homes. Offsetting some expenditure, this new facility can also be a substitute to current external facilities being used. And for those who don't intend to use the facility, perhaps this could be the impetus for a healthier life."

"In a recent feasibility study for CPN it states, "For most centers to have an opportunity to cover operating expenses with revenues, they must have a service population of at least 50,000 and have an aggressive fee structure". The service population for CPN in 2006 is optimistically estimated at 23,000. The study also stated, "The Master Association (i.e. residents) must be willing to underwrite not only the capital costs of the center but also be prepared to handle a significant operating deficit each year. The ability to recover most of the operating expenses with the revenues generated by the center itself appears to be unlikely", adding, "use of the facility by non-residents will be essential to keep the deficit as low as possible and the financial operations for the citizens of the Castle Pines North Association at a minimum".

Initial projections estimate that for a $300,000 home more than $500 in taxes and $200 Master Association dues will be needed by every homeowner to fund the Rec Center. Add this to an "aggressive fee structure" and the total household cost of an annual Rec Center membership is over $1200.

Please consider the financial impact and vote down any referendum to fund an indoor recreation center using tax dollars."

"This letter is to address the concerns our community has with the proposed recreation center. Our community may be somewhat unique in that we are adults at or near retirement. I am on the board of the community association as well as provide the management services. We've had meetings and I have the opportunity to talk to our residents. At least 90% (and I suspect closer to 100%) of our community is opposed to the center because of the financial burden that will ensue. We are not against a center, but feel CPN would be better served if the center were privatized and we did not incur additional debt.

The size of the proposed facility does not allow for many amenities that a larger facility would have. We believe that a private company that has experience with rec centers should be approached to see if there is interest in building a center here. If not, we believe the current plan is flawed and should be scrapped. It is apparent to us that the builders are pushing for this center and if they believe it will help their sales, then they should fund the center and not create more debt for the current population."

"I am in total support of a CPN recreation center. My reasons include:

1. Our community needs an affordable public facility. Opponents suggest opening a private club instead. Private clubs bring with them expensive memberships and long term commitments. A public facility can offer short term and special interest sessions on a pay as you go plan.

2. A CPN center will eliminate the inconveniences of using other recreation centers: driving to Castle Rock or Parker, paying higher rates at Castle Rock, registering after Parker residents have first choice and just not getting into Highland's Ranch.

3. While it is uncertain this center will increase property values, it will make CPN a more desirable place to live which should make homes sell faster. Additionally, CPN growth brings with it an increased tax-base that can support additional revenues required to fund a recreation center.

4. A CPN center will give our children opportunities to channel their energies into safe, productive activities (volleyball instead of vandalism).

5. Lastly, CPN is a family community. We must consider the needs of the entire community. A recreation center is not just a great amenity, but also a service to the MANY families living here."

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Castle Pines North Homeowners Association
Copyright © 2001-2002 Castle Pines North Homeowners Association
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Telephone and Fax:
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Address:
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Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

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