Rough economy won't curtail park improvements
More than $14 million in upgrades scheduled for Simi parks
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District has adopted a preliminary $19.7-million operating budget for fiscal year 2008-09.

The district's board of directors will likely approve a final budget at a public hearing scheduled for August.

Despite the struggling economy, general manager Larry Peterson said the park district is in good shape financially.

"We've planned for an efficient budget and I think we've achieved one, by and large," he said. "We intend to meet or exceed the standards that we met last year and we have some exciting new projects that we have adequate funding for."

The budget is largely the same as last year's, Peterson said, with modest increases in the cost of some services and supplies.

Peterson said the district has taken a number of actions over the past five years to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

"I follow the economy very closely and monitor its potential effects upon the district," Peterson said. "I have cautiously budgeted and recommended allocations that are conservative. . . . We are postured very well to weather economic impacts that occur."

Peterson's biggest concern is the state budget deficit. The state has shown a propensity to take money from local government to balance its budge, he said.

"Money shifted from local government has also been shifted from Rancho Simi."

Peterson said the district has lost millions since 1992 due to diverted funds.

"We lose more every year and we've had to deal with a reduction in our budget as a result."

Lost revenue in 2004 and 2005 totaled $1.5 million, he said. To prepare for future cuts, the district put $800,000 in planned expenditures on hold for fiscal year 2008-09.

According to Peterson, the district is working to meet the needs of the community through an aggressive construction program and the renovation of older facilities.

The district has identified 15 priority projects in Simi Valley and Oak Park, which will be worked on, if not completed, in the coming year. Of those, Peterson highlighted three that will be completed by June 2009:

•Big Sky Dog Park (estimated cost: $500,000): Complete construction of the 3-acre off-leash dog run at Big Sky Park.

•Rancho Simi Community Park upgrades, second of three phases (estimated cost: $500,000): Complete renovation of the west portion of the park, including installation of a new soccer field and upgrades to the softball complex. The next phase will include installation of new lights for the entire sports complex.

•Rancho Tapo Community Park (estimated cost: $1 million): Complete design, bidding and construction of the 1.4-acre park expansion, including four lighted tennis courts and two pickleball courts.

Peterson said the Sinaloa Golf Course expansion, which has an estimated cost of $764,000, is an ongoing project the district will work on next year.

The expansion calls for design and engineering studies and community outreach to redevelop the 38-acre property. Project elements include a 9-hole pitch and putt golf course, miniature golf courses, a community room, park amenities, parking and infrastructure.

The public hearing on the coming year's budget is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21 at 1692 Sycamore Drive in Simi Valley.

For more information, visit www.rsrpd.org.