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Rogue Credit Union Community Complex (Rogue X)

On Sept. 12, 2019, the Medford City Council received a Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department staff report outlining indoor recreation facility concepts that best address current indoor recreation facility space deficiencies and future needs based on level-of-service standards adopted in the City's Leisure Services and Comprehensive Plans.

The Rogue Credit Union Community Complex ("Rogue X") at Howard Memorial Sports Park will contain indoor recreational and competitive pools and a multi-purpose events center. By combining aquatics and the events center into a single facility, the City reduces both development and operational costs through the sharing of spaces.

Information Provided to City Council to Date:

Competition Pook — 22-0131-Comp-Pool_1.png

Project Update

The City Council has approved a $60 million financing plan that is innovative and fair, and does not involve property taxes. The funding mechanisms to build the facility are:

A two percent increase to the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT, also known as the hotel-motel tax);
Making the current airport Rental Car Tax to apply to commercial locations citywide;
A $2.40/month increase to the Park Utility Fee and a commensurate decrease to the Storm Drain Utility Fee to offset the impact to single-family and other residential accounts;
Early repayment of a U.S. Cellular Community Park debt service bond to free up $1.6 million per year in existing City financing.

On May 19, 2020, Medford voters approved two lodging tax measures that serve as a funding mechanism for the proposed Complex:

Measure 15-187: Amended City Charter to allow the City to collect Transient Lodging Tax from lodging intermediaries (such as Airbnb and VRBO) in addition to hotel/motel owners and operators.
Measure 15-188: Amended City Charter to change the Transient Lodging Tax from 9 to 11 percent.

On June 18, 2020, the City Council:

Amended the municipal code to adopt the voter-approved lodging tax increase starting Aug. 1, 2020.
Approved the proposed Park Utility Fee and Storm Drain utility fee adjustments starting July 15, 2020.
Authorized staff to initiate the financial process necessary for the City to bond up to $60 million to build the Complex.

On July 16, 2020, the City Council:

Approved citywide application of the 12.5 percent Car Rental Tax.

On Sept. 17, 2020, the City Council:

Approved refinancing and bond issuance, and pledged the full faith and credit of the City. This action allows the City to refinance existing construction bonds.

On Nov. 5, 2020, the City Council:

Approved a 10-year, $2.145 million facility naming-rights agreement with Rogue Credit Union. The proceeds help offset operational costs and also provide water safety classes to all Medford 4th-graders each year when the facility opens.

On Feb. 25, 2021, the Planning Commission:

Approved a Conditional Use Permit for the Rogue X at Howard Memorial Sports Park.

On March 4, 2021, the City Council:

Approved a contract with Pence Construction for pre-construction services.

On Sept. 2, 2021, the City Council:

Authorized $2 million for the purpose of preparing a building pad for the Rogue X at Howard Memorial Sports Park.

On Sept. 16, 2021, the City Council:

Authorized $453,743 for the purpose of ground stabilization for the Rogue X.

On Oct. 7, 2021, the City Council:

Authorized $3.5 million from American Rescue Plan Act to supplement the Rogue X project.

On Oct. 21, 2021, the City Council:

Authorized $6,039,527 for a pre-engineered metal building package for the Rogue X event center.

On Jan. 20, 2022, the City Council:

Approved the $66.7 million Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment to the Pence Construction contract to build the Rogue X, including notice to proceed. Total cost is $75.8 million.

What's Next?