After completing its design process for a new community recreation center, the city of Burien now is surveying the public about financing options for the proposed facility.

Approximately 3,000 households in the community have received the paper survey and the city is reminding recipients to return their surveys as soon as possible.

"It is very important to us to hear from the public, so we've made it easy for our random sample to complete the survey," said Michael Lafreniere, Director of Parks and Recreation.

"They can complete the survey online by going to a special website we provided them, or they can send it in via mail."

Those who are part of the random sample are reminded they can go to www.rrcinfo.com/rec-burien to complete their survey.

Lafreniere added that the larger community is also being given a chance to take part in the survey. A new Web site with the general public survey is www.rrcinfo.com/burien.

City officials are considering a bond measure that would be placed on the ballot in fall 2008. The survey examines how citizens feel about supporting such a measure.

In addition to a construction bond, funding for the project could involve a variety of other resources, including banked property taxes that will go toward the senior program portion of the facility, capital improvement program funds, revenue bonds that are based on facility, user fees, and other forms of public and private resources.

This would be the first voted bond measure ever put to the voters by the city of Burien.

The feedback from public workshops conducted over the summer, along with input from focus groups and stakeholders, was used to develop the plans for the proposed facility that would replace the existing Burien Community Center.

The proposed building would include a senior center, gymnasium, leisure pool, fitness facilities, banquet hall, preschool, teen room, meeting rooms and classrooms.

The facility, estimated to cost of $35 million, would be approximately 65,900 square feet. This cost estimate includes all expenses associated with the project such as site development, property acquisition and relocation.

Housed in a 1940s-era elementary school, the Burien Community Center was formerly known as the Chelsea Elementary School, which closed in 1976. It was sold to King County in 1982 and operated as the Highline Community Center for several years until it was taken over by the city of Burien following incorporation.

The facility is in poor condition and several studies have recommended its replacement.

Any city resident without access to the Internet may request a paper version of the survey by contacting the Parks Department at 206-988-3700.

Residents are invited to learn more about the proposed facility and view photos of the conceptual plans for the building by visiting the project website at www.burienparks.net/center.htm.