TRACfootprintJamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Park Board has unanimously approved plans for a petition drive to place a one percent city sales tax before the voters, possibly in April of 2015.

The tax would be used for construction of the Two Rivers Activity Center and requires a simple majority to pass.

The ballot measure calls for a yes or no vote on the 1 percent sales tax that would remain in place until the debt associated with the construction of the TRAC building is retired or until June 30, 2040, whichever comes first.

If constructed, the TRAC building would be located near Jamestown High School.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Doug Hogan says,

the draft petition would be submitted to the city of Jamestown for review next week.

Then, the city has 10 days to review the petition and if approved volunteers can start gathering the signatures. 15 percent of the votes cast in the last presidential election are required, or 1,053 signatures.

Hogan adds that the Parks and Recreation Department will cover the estimated $10,000 cost of the special election.

Hogan said the department is planning on starting a capital fundraising drive.

Final costs of the project could be determined by the amount of capital raised during the drive plus the $28.5 million the Parks and Recreation Department would be able to borrow if the sales tax is approved.

Parks and Recreation would own and operate the recreation center and employ about 50 additional people to operate the center. Other participating groups include Jamestown Public Schools, James River Family Fitness, Jamestown Tennis Association and the Jamestown Gymnastics Club.