The proposed Community Athletic Recreation Center (CARC) in Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake is still a possibility although things are looking bleak after last week’s meeting between officials from Garrett College and the County Commissioners.
If constructed the Recreation Center would be open to the public and would include indoor swimming pools, indoor tracks, basketball courts, fitness facilities, and physical therapy rooms. It would benefit all full time residents of Garrett County and many second and vacation home owners at Deep Creek Lake as well - especially seniors and families with children. As another amenity to the Deep Creek area this center would also help maintain real estate and property values as well. Garrett County is the only county in the state of Maryland without a public pool and recreation center! We may very well be the only county in the entire United States without a public pool! The center was originally planned to be placed atop Wisp Mountain near ASCI (Adventure Sports Center International) but space concerns in 2006 eventually shifted the plans to the campus of Garrett College in McHenry.
The project was placed on hold last January after bids to build the center on the campus of Garrett College came in well above initial estimates. However, Garrett College officials would like to start discussions again on the athletic center since the state still has committed around $15 million for the construction of the facility and the fact that Senator George Edwards recently secured another $3 million as well. College officials think that due to the downturn in the economy new construction bids will come in much lower this time as many contractors are now looking for work.
Commissioner Holliday has gone on the record as saying he would vote against the project due to his concerns that the center would eventually become a financial burden on the county after it was up and running due to operating costs - not because he was concerned about the funding needed to get the project built. However at last week’s meeting he did give his ok to continue studying the feasibility of the center. Commissioner Glotfelty is abstaining from this vote since he owns Double G Campground which will be adjacent to the proposed recreation center. With Commissioner Glotfelty abstaining it could create a situation of one yes vote from Commissioner Gregg and one no vote from Holliday which would essentially kill the project.
The center could host numerous swim meets, track meets, and basketball camps and tournaments throughout the year to generate income and offset ongoing operating costs. Due to the tourist nature of Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Ski Resort it should be relatively easy to attract groups and organizations to these types of events!
If you would like to voice your opinion one way or the other you can e-mail Commissioner Holliday at countycommissioners@garettcounty.org.
Jon Bell
Nancy Jo Fratz
Debra Savage
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