The Meridian Service Metropolitan District held its monthly board meeting Oct. 2.Melissa Weaver of the Meridian Ranch YMCA reported a significant increase in traffic at the recreation center. ìIt gives us a chance to build relationships with the new members,î Weaver said. ìWe’ve added several new exercise classes that came from ideas people submitted on comment cards. So we’re giving people what they’ve asked for, which helps.î The activities are especially busy from October through February. Weaver said the recreation center offers programs for families and adults almost every weekend during the fall and winter months.This is the second year that the recreation center is open all day during the winter season. Traffic is up during the mid-day time slot. However, the center still receives many calls asking what time they’re closed during the day, so residents need to be informed about the continuous hours, Weaver said.The recreation center expansion and indoor pool are expected to open in September 2014, as the outdoor pool closes for the season. The board discussed additional costs for lifeguard staff and indoor pool maintenance. Uncertainty about district income and usage numbers for the new pool was brought up. ìWe’ll have to get our Ouija board out to figure how many new homes we’ll have sold by then,î said Doug Woods, developer representative.Traffic impact fees collected by El Paso County from homebuilders will be reimbursed to the metro district and developer for roads built during Meridian Ranch’s development. For the construction of Meridian Ranch Boulevard and Stapleton Road, $535,000 has been reimbursed to the district and developer; $1 million is still owed. The board discussed using these funds to help pay for the recreation center expansion.Sewer fees for homeowners will slightly increase. Requirements for waste water have become more stringent, increasing costs to the district by about 50 percent over the next five years. ìThe treated water has to be darn near drinkable before it’s discharged,î Woods said. ìWe need to warn the board and the district that, although we’ve done really well for the last 10 years with the regulations, we need to come to grips with the reality of what these new regs will do.î Costs related to installing the lift station on McLaughlin Road and building the new sewage treatment plant operated by Meridian Metro and Cherokee Water will result in about $5 per month added to the homeownerís sewer fee for the next five years, Woods said.
