Recreation complex vision shared

Wanting to provide a recreation complex for residents in Pea Ridge and the surrounding area, former City Council member Nadine Telgemeier along with Todd Luedtke, Charlie Clark and Terry Hissong have formed a nonprofit organization and are seeking funding to purchase property and build a recreation center.

"This is just something that has been missing from our community," Telgemeier said. "Our community goes beyond the limits of Pea Ridge. We draw a lot of people into Pea Ridge and our sports groups. I see it in soccer; we get people from Missouri, Rogers, Bella Vista.

"As we've grown, we know that the facilities haven't kept up with the growth," she said.

In a plan drawn by architect John Mack, amenities include softball and baseball fields -- two softball fields (high school size), four Little-League size fields, one Babe Ruth-size field (high school size); a community center, indoor basketball courts, indoor swimming pool with 25-yard lanes, a walking track, racquetball court, banquet hall with kitchen facilities, performance center, stage area accessible by 18-wheeler, seating for 2,000 people using pull out bleachers and floor seating, as well as multi-purpose fields (football/soccer/lacrosse, etc.), walking track, outdoor play area, outdoor stage and open field, splash pad, skateboard park, basketball courts (full-size), tennis courts and sand volleyball courts.

"Potentially, this is not necessarily all or nothing," Luedtke said. "Maybe we build in stages. We are trying to find out what the public wants and go in stages." He said people drive to Rogers and Bentonville now for swimming.

"The big thing is, there's nothing set. We want public feedback," Luedtke said.

The first stage involves land acquisition.

"Maybe someone wants to leave a legacy," Telgemeier said, adding that if someone donated land, the facility could certainly be named in their honor.

Other suggestions for the first stage include softball and baseball fields, parking roads and a walking track.

A survey is available on the group's web site. Printed copies of the survey are available at the Pea Ridge Community Library.

"Before we can get grants, we have to have property," Telgemeier said, explaining that 40 to 50 acres would be ideal.