The city of Greeley is planning $11 million in parks and recreation improvements over the next two years, funded in large part by the community’s Quality of Life tax.
Greeley’s sales tax is 3.46 percent, with 3 percent going to the general fund, 0.16 percent to the public safety building fund and 0.30 percent to the Quality of Life fund.
The tax was something former Mayor Jerry Wones said went hand in hand with the council’s desire to improve economic development in Greeley.
“Greeley needed more amenities to attract companies and the people who worked there,” said Wones of the time when he was mayor in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Culture, Parks and Recreation director Andy McRoberts said the tax has been a success and the burgeoning economy has increased the revenue it generates.
Over the next two years, $2 million of the $11 million will go to artificial turf at both District 6 stadium and the District 6 soccer field.
“If we can help take care of those facilities and fill a void for our youth program, middle school football in particular, you’d have unlimited use out there — not just 25 games a year,” McRoberts said.
The city will budget $3 million for the Youth Sports Complex and $625,000 for playground replacements.
The proposals are part of the Greeley City Council’s overall 2015-16 budget.
