The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors has called for a referendum on the issuance of bonds to fund a variety of capital needs for fire and rescue services, public schools, and public parks. Bond vote is November 7, 2023. If approved, construction on the projects funded with the bonds would begin between 2024 and 2029, and all projects would be completed by 2032. Project List: FIRE AND RESCUE: - Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue The bond referendum will fund construction of a new Station One, on Main Street. The existing station, with a portion dating to 1946, will be replaced with a larger station and include a training center. In addition to being a working firehouse, the new station, located a few blocks down from the current facility, will include: 6 drive-thru apparatus bays Living space for up to 10 people Administrative headquarters An Emergency Operations Center/Conference Room A Classroom/Training Center The estimated cost for this project is $12,100,000. Construction is anticipated to take between 18 - 24 months and will begin in the spring of 2024 if the referendum is passed. - Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue The proposed list of projects includes updating Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station 3 in order to better accommodate overnight crews. Because of growth in the County, additional staff are stationed on site overnight. The existing bunkroom has tight quarters and doesn't provide for privacy. To accommodate the additional space for the bunkrooms and remodeled bathrooms: A classroom and the weightlifting area will be moved. A wall will be extended to provide additional space. The estimated cost for this project is $1,100,000. Construction will take between six months and a year and will begin in the spring of 2024 if the referendum is passed. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: - Gloucester High School Renovation of the 1993 Gloucester High School Sports Complex is also included in the referendum. Construction will begin in the spring of 2025 and work will be coordinated with the GHS project now underway. Moving and resurfacing the tennis courts Renovating the Field House Updating field lighting ADA compliance remediation Improving the structures of the home and visitors' bleachers Renovating both Concession Stands Renovating and regrading the athletic fields The estimated cost for this project is $9,460,000. - Botetourt Elementary School This referendum calls for the renovation of the 1973 wing of Botetourt Elementary School. Design will start in the spring of 2024 if the referendum passes. Renovations would include: Updated restroom facilities Technology upgrades Hallway and classroom improvements The estimated cost for this project is $4,445,000. - HVAC The final school project included in the referendum is to replace heating and air conditioning units (HVAC). The new equipment is part of an overall project that will cost more than $4 million, with $2,369,000 of the expense covered by the bond. PUBLIC PARKS: - Gloucester Point Beach Gloucester Point Beach is the oldest County-owned Park and the only public beach in the County. The bond project will renovate the park to address stormwater and flooding issues, beach erosion, sand infill on the boat landing, parking, restroom and pier improvements, and more. Gloucester will be seeking grants for portions of the project to supplement the borrowing. Design and initial improvements would begin in the spring of 2024 and a second phase would start in the spring of 2028. - Woodville Park As Gloucester's largest park, infrastructure improvements will make the park safer and more enjoyable. Many residents are familiar with the Whitcomb Lodge at Beaverdam Park and know that it is often booked one year in advance. The Bond Referendum will provide for a similar facility at Woodville and will also add water and sewer utilities to the park for public bathrooms and concessions. Construction on the infrastructure, which will be on-site wells and sewer lines directly to the park, would start in the spring of 2024. Construction of the bathrooms and concessions would occur in the spring of 2025 and construction of the multi-purpose building would start in 2026. The County could provide additional lighting for two ballfields in 2031. The estimated cost for this project is $4,587,000. - Brown Park Brown Park was donated to the County in 2005, to provide recreational facilities for youth and seniors. Due to a lack of funding, only a small part of the 19 acres has been developed. The park has a concrete skateboard area and the referendum funding will add multiple pickleball courts and bathrooms. Development at Brown Park would begin in the spring of 2026. The estimated cost for this project is $1,328,000. If approved, construction on the projects funded with the bonds would begin between 2024 and 2029, and all projects would be completed by 2032.