October 2019 Newsletter

October 2019 Newsletter
Upcoming Events

 Park Grand Opening

 Saturday, October 26th
@ the New Park (Wheatlands Pkwy and
S Kewaunee Way)
2-4pm


Kids Night Out
 
Friday, October 4th
6-10 pm at the Lakehouse
Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
to register click here  

Fall Break Craft and a Movie

Where: The YMCA Youth Center @ Southlands
When: October 14-18
10:00 am-3:00 pm
must sign up in advance
click here to sign up
$15 first child/ $10 each additional child

NEXT BOARD MEETING
 
Thursday, October 10th
6 pm @ the Clubhouse



Wheatlands Recreation Center Project
For more information and to follow the progress of the new Recreation Center please visit: 

Park Update

The park is nearing completion! Don’t miss out on our Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday, October 26th at 2pm. We will have:
  • A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
  • Food Trucks
  • Face Painting
  • Bounce House




Covenant Updates and Reminders from AMI
Reminder to homeowners that Trash day is Monday and Trash cans need to be stored out of sight other than trash day. 

For helpful tips and reminders for fall and winter watering please Click Here

 Pool and Clubhouse Information 
The board has been working hard with the YMCA to get some much needed work done at the pool and clubhouse. Items that have been approved and will be taking place this Fall include:
  • New dumpster enclosure
  • Permanent shade structures at the Pool
  • Staining of the pool and clubhouse pergolas
  • New furniture for the clubhouse
Items that are in the process of getting estimates and work approved for 2020 include:

  • New Floors/Paint for inside of Clubhouse
  • Pool sound system upgrade
  • Clubhouse sound system upgrade
  • Remodel of the pool bathrooms

Wheatlands Community Directory
EMERGENCY (POLICE & FIRE)
911

Non-Emergency – Police
303-739-6000
 
Irrigation 24 hour service
303-693-6878 

CLUBHOUSE & POOL INFORMATION
720-870-9297, 720-870-2221 (Operated by the YMCA)

Water & Sewer Service
303-739-7370

AURORA CITY GOVERNMENT
Police Representative – Officer Cassell 303-627-3172
Public Works Department 303-739-7300

SNOW REMOVAL (Streets) or STREET DAMAGE
City of Aurora 303-326-8200

SNOW REMOVAL (District Property)
YMCA and Coxlandscaping
*Homeowners are responsible for sidewalks and driveways

SERVICES
Waste Management Company
303-797-1600 

YMCA Programs

In addition to family activities at Southshore, the YMCA runs programs that benefit the entire Aurora Community.


Y Sports
Spring sports registration is now open! For more info:
Billy Merryman – Sports Coordinator
[email protected]
303.988.0196

  
Youth in Government
Join youth from throughout the state at our premier model government program. High school aged students will write and debate bills, argue state supreme court cases or take part in our press and lobbyist programs. The only group with access to the state Capitol building in this capacity.  Click here to find out more!

Reach & Rise Mentoring
What is Reach and Rise?
  • Reach and Rise is a free group mentoring program of the YMCA, established to provide young people in our community with positive and peer relationships.
  • 2 adult mentors are matched with a group of 6 youth
  • The group will meet once a week for 2 hours.
  • The program cycle runs for 8 weeks during the summer and 16 weeks during the fall and spring.
  • Mentors are meant to serve as role models, friends, and confidants. They’re another source of support for your child. They are not meant to take the role of a parent, babysitter, or financier.
For more information contact:
Tim Droke



Southlands Shopping Center Events


TRICK OR TREAT TRAIL

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26  |  MAIN STREET | 
10:00 am- 12:00 pm

  • Trick-or-Treat Down Main Street
  • YMCA Haunted House
  • Live Entertainment & Games
  • And More Family Fun



Wheatlands Metropolitan District

visit us online at www.wheatlandsmetro.org

Next Board Meeting: Thursday, October 10th at 6:00 pm

Additional Q & A

Thank you to all the residents who attended our board meeting on Thursday. We appreciate your attendance and at any time feel free to reach out to us.

We compiled all the questions that were asked and below are the answers:

Wheatland Park and Recreation Center Q and A

When will the recreation center be built?

Groundbreaking will happen before the end of the year and we are scheduled to open in 2021.  

What is the financial contribution from the Wheatlands Metro District? 

The Wheatlands Metro District has negotiated that $35 per household will go towards a family membership for each house and townhouse in Wheatlands.  Of that $35, $30 will be used for facility operations and $5 for operational reserve. The Intergovernmental Agreement establishing this contribution can be found on the WPRA website.  Currently we are projecting non-Wheatlands residents will pay $88 for a family membership.  

Does the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority or the YMCA have the ability to raise our Metro District fees or taxes?

No, they do not have the authority or ability to raise fees or taxes.  All decisions regarding the fees and taxes are made by the Wheatlands Metro District.

Does the Wheatlands Metro District board have authority to make decisions regarding the Recreation Center? 

The Wheatlands Metropolitan District does not have authority to make decisions regarding the recreation center.  This responsibility belongs to the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority.

What is the relationship between the Wheatlands Metro District and the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority?

The Authority Establishment Agreement was entered into on January 19, 2017 for purposes of creating the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority.  This Agreement established the Authority as a separate legal entity and can be found on www.wheatlandsparkandrec.com 

Who are the board members on the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority?  

Kathy Barela and Polly Martin are currently serving on the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority board.

Is the Market Research Study that was completed available to the public? 

Yes, they are posted online at the www.wheatlandsparkandrec.com.   The most recent was completed in October 2018 and takes into account the Aurora recreational facility proposed to the north of Wheatlands. 

How will Phase 2 be paid for? Anticipated timeline?

We do not currently have a set timeline for phase 2 and would require additional funding.  Phase 2 could be paid for through fundraising and grants as well as other revenue sources that may come available to the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority.  

Will Phase 1 have family friendly programs/options?

Yes, the recreation center is built for families.  It will include several amenities with programming geared towards children and adults.  There are two fitness studios that can be used for various fitness programs. A few examples of activities that could take place in the fitness studio would be a spinning studio, kids’ classes, Zumba and Pilates.  The center will include cross functional training and the basics of cardio and strength machines. The center will have a community kitchen for nutrition and other programs. It will also include a child watch center.  Furthermore, it will have a 6 lane lap pool that can be used for both recreation swimming and lap swimming. View the floor plans here at www.wheatlandsparkandrec.com   

Will the grounds around the Rec Center have any walking paths/outdoor track type area, landscaping, sitting areas for folks to enjoy? 

There is not an outdoor path or track area planned at this time.  The front of the building will be landscaped as well as the back. There is an outdoor splash pad planned in phase 2.

Can residents take part in decisions?

The building design has been approved, however as construction begins we welcome residents to attend the Wheatlands Park and Rec authority meetings to discuss the project.   

Previous Q and A Below:

Who owns the land and the building?

The Wheatlands Metro District established a separate legal entity called the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority. The Wheatlands Metro District sold the property to the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority, and the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority will finance, construct, own and operate the recreation center. This allows the Metro District to not have the facility debt on its balance sheet and also gives the liability of the facility over to the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority.

Who is on the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority Board?

The Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority Board has three members. A majority of the board members are Wheatlands residents.  These board members are acting in the best interest of our community and their goal is to represent us and lead the project.

How can we afford the center?

$45 of the $65 a month that you currently pay goes towards park and recreation. This money combined with transfers from the general fund was used to construct the new Community Park and complete other recreation projects in the past. With the park nearing completion, the District board has negotiated to have $35 per month go towards the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority to allow every household family passes to the facility. The YMCA has contributed financially to the center, and the land also acts as collateral for the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority loan.  The YMCA will be turning over membership and program revenue to support the debt service.

Will my monthly fees go up?

The board has no plans to raise fees at this time and works hard to budget correctly to keep our monthly fees low. That being said, fees can always go up as expenses for the community continue to rise and as costs continue to increase.

What if we don’t think the YMCA is managing the facilities properly?

The YMCA has a vested interest in managing the property correctly. However if the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority believes the YMCA is not managing it according to the contract, they can terminate the contract and hire a different management company.

How is the revenue or profit used?

The revenue from the recreation center will go back to the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority to be used to pay down the loans for building the recreation center as well as fund the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the facility.  The Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority will pay a fixed 4% management fee and a contingent Incentive Fee to the YMCA to run the day to day operations of the recreation center.   

How will this facility be viable with the proposed Aurora rec center so close?  

As part of the loan process, market research on the area was completed by an independent third party. The report concluded that the market is large enough to support both projects. The bank is also fully aware of the Aurora Rec Center project and moved ahead with the financing.

Why was this project started in the first place? 

The community has been in favor of it and had expressed the need for additional recreation facilities and amenities for our residents.  

Will the YMCA continue to manage the clubhouse and pool?  

The contract with the Wheatlands Metro District is independent of the contract with the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority. At this time, the Wheatlands Metro District Board has no plans to hire a different property management company.

Will the YMCA Day Camps continue up at the Wheatlands Clubhouse?

Once the new facility is built the camps will transition to the recreation center.  

What is the cost to build the recreation center? 

The first phase of the facility will cost $21 million.

Is there any proactive plan for dealing with extra traffic?

Traffic studies were required as part of the approval process with the City of Aurora. At this time, there is not enough traffic to put in a traffic light or cross walk. The Wheatlands Metro District plans on continuing discussions with the City after the recreation center is open to evaluate traffic to see if the minimum traffic counts are met to install a crosswalk or light.

Recreation Center and Community Park Update

Wheatlands Recreation Center Update

You may have noticed the trailers on site last week and we are pleased to announce that financing has been secured for the Wheatlands Recreation Center. This project has been years in the making beginning with the purchase of the property and a zoning code change to allow nonprofit recreation facilities as a permitted use for this site. Then by creating a separate authority, a contract with the bank was negotiated for a loan to create a beautiful facility for our residents. We appreciate everyone who came to public input meetings in the past and attended the most recent open house. The District wants to be very transparent with the project and communication. We look forward to continuing to update the community on the project progress. Please come to any of our board meetings to discuss it. They are open to everyone and we are here to represent and serve you.

FAQ

Who owns the land and the building?
The Wheatlands Metro District established a separate legal entity called the Wheatlands Park and Recreation Authority. The Wheatlands Metro District sold the property to the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority, and the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority will finance, construct, own and operate the recreation center. This allows the Metro District to not have the facility debt on its balance sheet and also gives the liability of the facility over to the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority.

Who is on the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority Board?
The Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority Board has three members. A majority of the board members are Wheatlands residents.  These board members are acting in the best interest of our community and their goal is to represent us and lead the project.

How can we afford the center?
$45 of the $65 a month that you currently pay goes towards park and recreation. This money combined with transfers from the general fund was used to construct the new Community Park and complete other recreation projects in the past. With the park nearing completion, the District board has negotiated to have $35 per month go towards the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority to allow every household family passes to the facility. The YMCA has contributed financially to the center, and the land also acts as collateral for the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority loan.  

Will my monthly fees go up?
The board has no plans to raise fees at this time and works hard to budget correctly to keep our monthly fees low. That being said, fees can always go up as expenses for the community continue to rise and as costs continue to increase.

What if we don’t think the YMCA is managing the facilities properly?
The YMCA has a vested interest in managing the property correctly. However if the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority believes the YMCA is not managing it according to the contract, they can terminate the contract and hire a different management company.

How is the revenue or profit used?
The revenue from the recreation center will go back to the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority to be used to pay down the loans for building the recreation center as well as fund the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the facility.  The Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority will pay a fixed 4% management fee and a contingent Incentive Fee to the YMCA to run the day to day operations of the recreation center.   

How will this facility be viable with the proposed Aurora rec center so close?  
As part of the loan process, market research on the area was completed by an independent third party. The report concluded that the market is large enough to support both projects. The bank is also fully aware of the Aurora Rec Center project and moved ahead with the financing.

Why was this project started in the first place? 
The community has been in favor of it and had expressed the need for additional recreation facilities and amenities for our residents.  

Will the YMCA continue to manage the clubhouse and pool?  
The contract with the Wheatlands Metro District is independent of the contract with the Wheatlands Park and Rec Authority. At this time, the Wheatlands Metro District Board has no plans to hire a different property management company.

Will the YMCA Day Camps continue up at the Wheatlands Clubhouse?
Once the new facility is built the camps will transition to the recreation center.  

What is the cost to build the recreation center? 
The first phase of the facility will cost $21 million.

Is there any proactive plan for dealing with extra traffic?
Traffic studies were required as part of the approval process with the City of Aurora. At this time, there is not enough traffic to put in a traffic light or cross walk. The Wheatlands Metro District plans on continuing discussions with the City after the recreation center is open to evaluate traffic to see if the minimum traffic counts are met to install a crosswalk or light.

If you have any questions at any time you can always email the [email protected].  

Community Park Update





The Community Park is scheduled to open next month! We plan on having a Fall Party there to celebrate.  We can’t wait for this amazing new space to open. The new park pavilion will provide a gathering space for our community. The climbing wall and park theme are unique to the area and will bring so many smiles to kids in our community. Below are a few highlights that have been completed since August:

● The rubberized surfacing has been installed.
● The railing has also been installed.
● Both of the play features are being installed in the lower play pit.
● Once the play equipment has been installed, Goodland will place the rock
and the engineered wood fiber surfacing.
● The masonry for the shelter columns/walls and the park sign has been completed.
● The flat-work has been completed.
● The shelter is being built and installed
● The swing structure and topsy-turvy have been installed.
● The trees have arrived onsite and were reviewed and approved. In
● In areas that are ready, trees have been installed.

Thank you to the community for all your support of the park project.

September Food Truck Event

Come join your neighbors for delicious food next Wednesday, September 11, 2019. 

Thank you for attending the food truck events this summer and this will be the last food truck event of the summer. The event will be held from 6-8 pm at the Wheatlands Clubhouse. Hope to see you there!

Date: Wednesday September 11, 2019*

Event Time: 6-8 pm

Food Trucks include: WeChef, Madly Sugared, Kona Ice and Freddy’s Cuisine

For a taste of what type of food will be offered at the event check out WeChef’s menu here:http://www.wechefkitchen.com

*Complimentary Beer, Wine and Music provided by Wade Christianson.https://www.wadechristianson.com/

Happy Labor Day

We want to wish everyone in the neighborhood a happy and fun Labor Day! A few reminders…

Today is the last day our pool is open for the 2019 season. Thank you to our YMCA life guards and community for a wonderful summer pool season!

There will be no trash and recycling pick up today due to the holiday. Trash and recycling are scheduled to be picked up tomorrow. The Waste Management calendar is also located on our website under Community Documents.

Happy Labor Day!