West Bloomfield Parks Bond– Connecting Community
West Bloomfield voters approved a bond proposal on August 6 that will provide critical support for creating a healthier community through expanded recreation programming for all ages as well as enhanced park amenities.
The 20-year, $25 million bond will be used to build an expanded multigenerational Connect community center on the Civic Center Campus and make needed investments in other parks within the Township.
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Explore answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Your Future Connect
An expanded, multigenerational Connect community center will be built on the Civic Center Campus, starting in 2025. The new Connect will be a gathering place for all ages and nearly four times as large as the current Recreation Activities Center to meet community demand for programs and services.
The 33,000-square-foot building would feature:
- A dedicated lounge space for seniors to gather and socialize in as well as have opportunities to enjoy the activities they have come to love at the current center.
- Many amenities tailored to the interests of West Bloomfield’s growing population of older adults, such as indoor pickleball, table tennis, a walking track, fitness classes designed for seniors and more.
- A wider variety of recreation programs focused on both the mental and physical wellbeing of participants of all ages.
- More nature education offerings with a new, expanded outdoor natural play area, a large, interactive nature exploration exhibit and more live animals to inspire individuals to appreciate and learn about the natural world.
- More meeting and event space options.
These plans are laid out in a preliminary concept map created by DLZ Corporation. Please note: The final design is subject to change.
Informational Meetings
Plans for capital improvements were shared with residents on the following dates:
- May 30th– In-Person Meeting
- June 13th– In-Person Meeting
- June 20th– Virtual Meeting
- July 11th– Virtual Meeting
View Concept Design here
Park Improvements
The bond also will enable West Bloomfield Parks to make needed investments in other parks within the Township beginning in 2025. These capital improvements would include new playgrounds at Pine Lake Park, Bloomer Park and Marshbank Park, paved walking trail replacements at Marshbank Park and an expanded pickleball complex at Drake Sports Park.
FAQs
What will the bond pay for?
This bond will support the construction of an expanded multigenerational Connect community center would be built on the Civic Center Campus. The new center will feature a wider variety of recreation programs than what’s currently offered as well as expanded nature education opportunities for all ages, a dedicated lounge space for seniors, rentable meeting and event space options, a gymnasium, a walking track and more.
The bond will also enable West Bloomfield Parks to make needed investments in other parks within the Township. These capital improvements include new playgrounds at Pine Lake Park, Bloomer Park and Marshbank Park, paved walking trail replacements at Marshbank Park and an expanded pickleball complex at Drake Sports Park.
How much will this cost me?
A resident whose home has a taxable value of $100,000 will be assessed approximately $35 annually.
When will residents first see it reflected on their taxes?
Residents will see the additional tax on their December 2024 tax statement.
What are the plans for the new Connect community center?
The new Connect will be a gathering place for all ages and nearly four times as large as the current facility to help meet community demand for programs and services. The 33,000-square-foot building will be located on the Civic Center Campus and feature:
- A wider variety of recreation programs focused on both the mental and physical wellbeing of participants of all ages.
- A dedicated lounge space for seniors to gather and socialize in as well as have opportunities to enjoy the activities they have come to love at the current center.
- Many amenities tailored to the interests of West Bloomfield’s growing population of older adults, such as indoor pickleball, table tennis, a walking track, fitness classes designed for seniors and more.
- More nature education offerings with a new, expanded outdoor natural play area, a large, interactive nature exploration exhibit and more live animals to inspire individuals to appreciate and learn about the natural world.
- More meeting and event space options and multipurpose rooms.
What will happen to the current Connect?
Currently, West Bloomfield Parks leases 8,400 square feet off-site for Connect as a gathering place for seniors, which is not enough to meet current demand. The center is on a short-term lease set to expire in June of 2026 with the option to extend. Relocating it to the Civic Center Campus will give seniors a permanent, dedicated space as well as allow for expanded programming for all ages with a larger facility.
What are the plans for trail improvements?
The bond will enable West Bloomfield Parks to make paved walking trail replacements at Marshbank Park.
What is the timeline?
The millage related to the bond will be assessed for 20 years starting in 2024. Work on the new Connect community center will begin in early 2025, with its opening anticipated in late 2026.
Playground replacements will be started in 2025 and be completed by 2030. The order they will be replaced is Bloomer Park, Pine Lake Park and then Marshbank Park. The paved walking trail at Marshbank Park will be replaced in 2025. The expanded pickleball complex will be constructed in 2027.
How will residents be updated on the construction process?
Updates on the construction process will be available on our website, posted to our social media pages and included in our eblasts, seasonal guides and other materials.
What is a bond?
A bond is similar to a loan that’s used to finance capital projects and improvements.
The 20-year bond will be issued by the Township. A resident whose home has a taxable value of $100,000 would be assessed approximately $35 annually. West Bloomfield Parks will then collect the millage to make periodic payments on the bond until its maturity date.
Who oversees West Bloomfield Parks?
West Bloomfield Parks is overseen by the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission, which includes seven publicly elected commissioners. Staff and operations are managed by a commission-appointed director.
Though independent of the Township, West Bloomfield Parks reports to the Township Board regarding its budget and property. In order for the bond proposal to be put on the ballot for voter consideration, it had to be approved by both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Township Board.