I am in support of Dick Reitz’s op-ed (Herald, Aug. 18), “Seek affordable options for sewer plant,” in which he was recommending that the city consider other options to expand the capacity of Santa Rita sewage treatment facility. The huge cost associated to remodel or move the facility will impact our community for generations to come. The City Council needs to consider all viable options before submitting a plan to the voters.
I would like to suggest another alternative. The city should consider purchasing the glider air park or similar property just north of the city and moving the recreational facilities from Santa Rita to a new regional park that could be phased in as money permits to include baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields for soccer and football. The property is flat and would require very little excavation and would be an attractive and useful addition to the community. The bike path could be extended from 32nd Street to the park with additional extensions for Trimble, Dalton Ranch and the Hermosa area as funds become available.
In this way, the waste treatment facility can stay where it is and utilize the entire park area for expansion and improvement needed to meet the current and future needs of the community. The existing facilities can be improved and modified without the problems of zoning or other difficulties required to move the entire facility.
Darryl Metz
Durango
