Construction is set to begin on an open-air pavilion over the skating rink in downtown Kennebunk this April, which will create a year-round gathering space for town activities.
There’s just one glitch: Not all of the money for the project has been raised yet. The pavilion is expected to cost $660,000, but the town has only fundraised or received in-kind donations of $496,000 so far.
Some selectmen believe the gap should be covered by money from the town’s Route 1 Tax Increment Financing District, and while it has caused a bit of controversy, we agree with this approach.
The skating rink is within the TIF district, so voters have already approved the use of tax money from that area for public improvements. This project certainly falls within the guidelines of a public improvement: It’s an addition to the existing skating rink, which will be maintained by a $1.5 million endowment established by the Geraldine Waterhouse family. Once built, the pavilion will provide some shelter not only for skaters, but for performers of all kinds, meet-ups, craft shows and other activities. There’s no denying that it will be a benefit for the community and is in line with the purpose of the TIF fund.
Some councilors, such as Richard Morin, wanted to see the project handled by the private sector, but we agree with Selectmen Chairman Al Searles that these types of improvements are not out of the scope of the town’s purview. Construction of the pavilion is in line with the improvements made to other sections within the TIF district, such as the newly renovated downtown, and the phases of those improvements were overseen by the town.
Holding a referendum on the use of TIF funds for the pavilion project is not only unnecessary, but would result in added expense and inconvenience for the construction crews that have pledged their time and effort to the cause.
Kevin Reilley, president of Benchmark Construction, which will be managing much of the project, confirmed for the board at a recent meeting that early spring is a much cheaper time to have construction work done than is the peak summer season.
The rest of the money for the pavilion project may indeed be raised between now and the start of construction in April, making the discussion moot, but we hope the board of selectmen in the meantime does not place unnecessary delays on it that will raise the price. If the TIF money does need to be used, it will likely be paid back through rental fees, advertising and other collections at the pavilion site, so it seems like the best option at this time.
The community has really gotten behind this idea and volunteers such as Town Manager Barry Tibbetts have given much of their time to the fundraising cause. If the TIF money is needed at this point to get the project rolling, it should be used. Not only is it an appropriate use of the voter-approved TIF money, but it will be a great addition to the downtown.
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