The “City of Rockville Community Interest Survey” was conducted Jan. 8-Feb. 7 and was sent to households within the general area proposed for the new center — west of I-270 and south of Hurley Avenue.

The results can be viewed at www.rockvillemd.gov/2018communitycentersurvey. Consultant EurekaFacts will present the survey results to the Mayor and Council at their Monday, April 9 meeting. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

The survey found that 66.7 percent of respondents support or strongly support a new community recreation center in the area.

The survey also asked all respondents to identify their priorities for recreation spaces in the survey area. 

• 46 percent placed a high priority on more natural areas (e.g., green spaces).
• 30 percent placed a high priority on improvement to existing park and recreation facilities.
• 26 percent placed a high priority on greater access to facilities for outdoor sports (e.g., soccer, baseball, basketball).
• 25 percent placed a high priority on additional community recreation centers.

Respondents who support or strongly support a new center weighed in on their preferred location. The most preferred location was the vicinity of the Wootton Parkway and Falls Road intersection. The top requested amenity of a new center was a “fitness/wellness center.”

The Mayor and Council’s discussion of possible funding for a new community center will be part of a Monday, April 23 work session on the FY 2019 budget.

Comments on the budget are welcomed. The Mayor and Council will hold a hearing for the public, on the FY 2019 budget, on Monday, April 9.

Submit testimony in writing to cityclerk@rockvillemd.gov or the City Clerk’s Office/Director of Council Operations, City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850. The public record remains open until Friday, April 13.

Meetings are broadcast live on channel 11 on county cable systems, live streamed at www.rockvillemd.gov/rockville11 and available a day after the meeting at www.rockvillemd.gov/videoondemand. Find the proposed budget at www.rockvillemd.gov/budget.