The Magnolia Community Foundation is hoping to break ground on a proposed recreational center by this fall.

Foundation President Deborah Miller said the facility is in the planning stages but it would meet the needs of Unity Park, YMCA and Magnolia area schools once built.

For instance, Miller said that while Magnolia High School has a natatorium, Magnolia West does not. In addition, Alpha Academy does not have any athletic facilities at its campus, nor does the YMCA on FM 1774.

The proposed building would be 15,000 square feet costing approximately $2 million. Of that amount, $1.5 million would be for the building, outdoor Olympic-size pool and tennis courts and the remaining half million would go toward endowments.

“Once it’s there it will solve a lot of problems,” President of 4A Economic Development Corporation Jonny Williams said.

The building is proposed to be constructed at the site of the retention pond at Alpha Academy since Alpha Academy now shares a retention pond with Unity Park.

The costs of the recreational center would come from private funding and possibly a state grant. Miller said the foundation will learn if they are eligible for the grant in May.

The pool, tennis courts and building will be named after donors, depending on donation amounts.

“We are already talking to people for naming rights,” Miller said.

In addition, Miller said the goal is to have half of the funds to build the recreation center pledged before a public fundraising campaign is launched.

According to Miller, the recreational center will express the foundation’s mission statement.

“The Community Foundation is dedicated to enhance the resources and quality of life in Magnolia by expanding activities that connect our diverse civic groups, citizens and meet the needs of the community,” Miller said.

In other City of Magnolia news, during a joint meeting of the Magnolia City Council and Hotel Motel Tax Advisory Committee (HMTAC), chairman  Barry Tate announced the future goals to earn more tax revenue for the city.

Tate said there are 60 hotel rooms within the city limits, and the HMTAC earns about $10 a night per occupied room.

The HMTAC is trying to find events that encourage people to stay in the hotels.

The city’s fiscal year runs from October to September. In 2008 and 2009, the HMTAC earned $46,000. The next year, during economic hardships, the HMTAC earned $32,000.

This year Tate anticipates the HMTAC to earn $36,000.

HMTAC helped promote the Annual Chamber Cook-off by donating $5,000, as well as Hometown Christmas with a $6,000 donation.

Tate addressed areas in which HMTAC could promote Magnolia, such as the BP MS 150. Spectators watching riders pass through town on their way to Austin could book their rooms in town, Tate said.

Another opportunity to earn Hotel Motel tax is through Magnolia Baseball, he said. Tournaments that draw teams from around the Houston area will be scheduled to play in Magnolia and teams and parents would need a place to stay, Tate explained

“One issue is how to get the best bang for the buck,” Tate explained to council. “But we still have to realize that we won’t make all of the money back.”

The City of Shenandoah was the host city for this year’s Texas Renaissance Festival and offered visitors shuttle rides and breakfast.

Councilman John Bramlett said Magnolia is “losing out.”

According to Tate, if the rooms were completely occupied every day for a year the city would earn $168,000. That means Magnolia hotels are only occupied about 25 percent of the year. Tate said the average occupancy rate in the U.S. was 58 percent.

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