Parks and Recreation staff has long recognized the inevitable need for a second recreation center to serve the public and in 2007 the Allen citizenry voted to approve $16,000,000 of general obligation bonds for the design and construction of a new center. 

Over 20 years have passed since the Joe Farmer Recreation Center was opened and our city has more than tripled in population since that time. The corresponding changes in the parks and recreation industry and facility development are many as well.  In response, staff determined that a preliminary but critical step is needed before designing a new facility and in 2018 a request for qualifications (RFQ) was advertised to identify a consultant team best suited to prepare a feasibility study, including also an operational and financial analysis, and a conceptual facility design.

Seven consultant teams responded to the RFQ and each was graded by staff in relation to their qualifications, experience with feasibility studies and facility design, and positive professional references. Four finalist firms were identified and interviewed and scored, with award-winning BRS Architecture attaining the top rank among the finalist firms.  The BRS team also includes the nationally recognized recreation program planning firm Ballard*King, as well as indoor/outdoor recreation planning specialists Studio Outside.

The feasibility study will address various aspects of the proposed facility projects:

• A market study, including a competitive market analysis
• Citizen participation and input
• Facility use programming
• Operational planning
• Revenue and expense projections
• Modeling for potential partnership with the Allen Sports Association
• Conceptual building drawings and 3D mass modeling
• Consideration of other park site use areas

The schedule for the study includes four workshops facilitated by a Steering Committee composed of members of the City Council, the Community Development Corporation, representatives of the Allen Sports Association, and at-large citizen members. Additionally, three public meetings will be conducted for general public input and an online survey of the public will be conducted midway through the study.  The study will take approximately nine months to complete.

Funds approved in the 2007 Bond Election in Capital Improvements Project PR1601, The Exchange Parkway Recreation Center and Community Park are identified for this Professional Services Agreement.

Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture for the preparation of a Feasibility Study for the Exchange Parkway Recreation Center in the amount of $154,873.