Dear Martin County Board of County Commissioners,

We, the citizens of Martin County would like to point your attention to our need for an Indoor Sports and Recreation Facility. Our neighboring counties, Palm Beach and St. Lucie, are drawing our residents to facilities and programs with year-round, long lasting success. Their local economies benefit from our lack of such facilities. Thousands of student and adult athletes are enrolled in the two most successful and ever growing indoor sports, Basketball and Volleyball alone, not to mention the popularity of Cheerleading and Dodgeball. Aside from year round leagues, regularly scheduled tournaments in the fore mentioned sports would generate a significant amount or revenue. In addition, such facility will create jobs by staffing Instructors to accommodate many Health and Fitness activities for all ages such as Martial Arts, Pilate's, Yoga just to name a few. In our recent research, it is also our understanding that the Roller Hockey program held at Halpatiokee Park has seen a decline in participants. The building is not weather resistant. That said, the most cost effective strategy would be to remodel/enclose the structure that is already there. We understand that everyone, including our local government, county and city departments have been affected by the economy. However, building costs are extremely affordable now and as the economy recovers, costs will rise accordingly. This plan will increase our county revenue immediately and for years to come.

Thank You for your consideration,

Residents of Martin County