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Fairfax County (web | news) , Va. - Fairfax County says its parks and rec centers need some major renovations, but user fees aren't enough to cover costs for improvements so some say a bond referendum is the answer.

It's the only referendum on the ballot in Fairfax County and it's the same issue that appears almost regularly on election day, but the Fairfax County Park Authority isn't taking any chances this year to get a $77 million bond approved for county and regional parks. "Our main goal in this project is to sustain previous park investments and fund tomorrows park facilities and ensure enhanced quality of life for future generations," said David Bowden, Director of Park & Planning, Fairfax Co. Park Authority.

The park authority charges user fees at certain facilities, but the money doesn't cover costs for new development. The bond would help the park authority purchase more land and improve aging facilities. It would also restore the wetland at Huntley Meadows Park, the only freshwater, non-tidal marsh in northern Virginia. "We have less and less of the plants and animals dependent on that marsh ecosystem. So every year that goes by that we're not able to engage in the restoration project, its habitat is being taken away from locally rare and imperiled wildlife," said Kevin Munroe, park manager at Huntley Meadows Park.

The clock is also ticking for rec centers throughout the county. More than $19 million would be allocated for renovation projects. "When you look at our rec centers that are 28 years old in many cases, we have renovation issues for HVAC for just mechanical items. So that if we don't find the capital dollars it would have a direct impact on customer service," said Judy Pedersen, Fairfax Co. Park Authority.

Fairfax resident Bob McClelland works out at the Robert E. Lee Rec Center almost everyday and says he'll be voting yes for the bond. "It's this and the library are the two county benefits that are our greatest in my opinion."

But during the tough times when the county is looking at a $430 million shortfall, some residents question whether this bond could increase the debt. "Maybe the money can be used toward something else, but I can see why they want to spend so much money for parks and stuff," said Irrum Sheikh, Fairfax County resident.

Bowden says bonds reduce the burden on taxpayers. "So what we do is fund the money over time which allows us to pay it back over time and all of the users of the facilities over the course of the life of the facility actually contribute to the cost of the facility."

Bond referendums for Fairfax County parks date back to 1959. Since then, voters approved 10 bonds totaling nearly $400 million.

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