The cities of Sterling Heights and Warren have agreed to collaborate on parks and recreation programs under the terms of an interlocal agreement, approved by their respective City Councils
The interlocal agreement between the cities of Sterling Heights and Warren is contingent upon the approval of the Recreating Recreation millage on Nov. 8.
The interlocal agreement allows residents of Sterling Heights to purchase a membership to the Warren Community Center’s parks and recreation amenities at rates currently charged to Warren residents. Members have access to both the state-of-the-art aquatics and fitness centers. In consideration for the reduced membership rates, Sterling Heights will pay an annual lump sum fee of $100,000.
According to Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Langlois, this innovative agreement will generate significant savings for Sterling Heights residents, many of whom regularly visit the Warren Community Center as members or as daily drop in guests. Currently, approximately 1,600 Sterling Heights residents use the Warren aquatic center and will directly benefit from this agreement.
“For a family of four, the interlocal agreement reduces their annual membership cost by $70,” Langlois said. “For our senior population, they will realize significant savings as the daily drop in fee drops from $10 to $2. For our active seniors in Sterling Heights, this is a great deal.”
The Warren Community Center is home to an indoor water park consisting of a lap swimming pool, a lazy river, a family/kid splash area, multiple water slides, a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Group, semi-private and private swim lessons are available for children all the way through seniors in addition to regular water aerobics classes.
“We are so pleased to be collaborating with Warren, said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “Being able to provide our residents with access to first-rate aquatic and fitness centers at a reasonable cost fills a void in our parks and recreation programming. Although our Recreating Recreation initiative has great potential to create many unique parks and recreation attractions, the inclusion of an aquatic center is cost prohibitive.”
The Recreating Recreation initiative seeks to leverage the existing natural resource assets to create a City that provides its residents with year-round recreational opportunities. On Nov. 8, Sterling Heights residents will have the opportunity to vote on a dedicated parks and recreation millage. If approved, the millage will fund the City's Recreating Recreation initiative that would deliver a diverse mix of recreational opportunities to the City's residents, including a 120,000-square foot Community Center, an ice rink, a farmers market pavilion, a dog park, a skate park, a splash pad, a canoe and kayak livery, improvements to existing bike/hike trails, upgrades to neighborhood parks and much more. The scope of the proposed plan and estimated financial impacts on residents are available at www.sterling-heights.net/recreatingrecreation.
Media with further questions can contact Community Relations Director Bridget Doyle at bdoyle@sterling-heights.net or (586) 446-2471.