Community Center Bond
Waterford Township voters approved a bond proposal on November 5, 2024, for the development of a community center, which will provide support for creating a healthier community through expanded recreational programming and services for all ages as well as enhanced amenities.
The 21-year, $36,410,000 bond will be used to purchase 51-acres of land and finance the renovations and construction costs to create a multigenerational community center on a portion of the current Oakland Community College-Highland Lakes Campus.
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To learn more about the northern portion of the Oakland Community College (O.C.C.) Highland Lakes Campus, visit the O.C.C. website and click on Campus | Highland Lakes https://www.oaklandcc.edu/future-plan/
YOUR Future community center
Waterford Township is committed to providing quality recreational amenities to all who chose Waterford as their premier destination to live, work, and play.
A multigenerational community center will be developed on a 51-acre site located at the current Oakland Community College-Highland Lakes Campus.
The new community center will be a gathering place for all ages. It will home to programs, activities and services offered by the Waterford Parks and Recreation Department.
The 60,000 square-foot facility would feature:
- A wider variety of recreation programs focused on both the mental and physical wellbeing of participants of all ages.
- A singular location that will be the home for programming currently offered at the Waterford Recreation Center (5640 Williams Lk. Rd.) and the Waterford Senior Center-Leggett Campus (3621 Pontiac Lk. Rd.).
- Many amenities tailored to the interests of Waterford’s growing population of older adults, such as indoor pickleball, table tennis, Meals on Wheels, fitness & enrichment classes designed for seniors and more.
- More gymnasium space with three full sized courts, more indoor gym space will be available for programs, rentals and leagues.
- More meeting and event space options.
- Added outdoor recreation amenities that will include updated amphitheater, pickleball and tennis courts, walking path, outdoor restrooms, playground, softball field, shuffleboard courts, bocce ball courts, and dog park.
- Connectivity to Hess-Hathaway Park by way of a trail connection on the west side of the property.
LATEST NEWS
- In January 2025, Waterford Township hired Plante Moran Realpoint as it's Owners' Representative for the project.
- In April 2025, Waterford Township hired Neumann Smith as its architecture/engineering firm for the project.
- In April 2025, Waterford Township hired Frank Rewold & Sons as it's Construction Manager for the project.
Informational Meetings
June 5, 2024 at Town Hall
June 22, 2024 at Oakland Community College - Highland Lakes Campus
September 24, 2024 at Waterford Recreation Center, 5640 Williams Lake Road
- 10:00AM-11:30AM
- 6:30PM-8:00PM
October 7, 2024 at Waterford Recreation Center, 5640 Williams Lake Road
- 10:00AM-11:30PM
- 6:30PM-8:00PM
Plante Moran Realpointe Presentation - June 22, 2024
Waterford Parks and Recreation Presentation - June 22, 2024
Waterford Parks and Recreation Presentation - September 24, 2024
Waterford Parks and Recreation Presentation - October 7, 2024
Video: Informational Meeting - June 22nd at OCC Highland Lakes Campus
FEASIBILITY STUDY
The Township and Waterford Parks and Recreation Department worked closely with Plante Moran Realpoint to perform a feasibility study that explored the possibility of converting the southern area of the existing Oakland Community College-Highland Lakes Campus into a community center. The results of the feasibility study were completed and presented for the first time to the public at an Informational Meeting on June 22, 2024, and can be found below.
SURVEY/MAP OF area to be used for community center
PLAN DESIGN
The plan design costs are factored into the bond proposal amount.
The township is in the process of acquiring professional services for architectural/engineering and construction manager services for this project. Information on the Request for Proposals (RFPs) for these professional services will be available online https://www.waterfordmi.gov/Bids.aspx
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
On May 28, 2024, the Waterford Township Board of Trustees approved a purchase agreement for approximately 51 acres of land and four buildings with the intent to renovate the buildings and repurpose land for recreational uses and for a future community center.
The purchase agreement is contingent upon the passage of the bond proposal that will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
Resolution Approving Purchase Agreement for A Portion of the OCC Highland Lakes Campus (PDF)
Real Estate Purchase Agreement for a Portion of the OCC Highland Lakes Campus (PDF)
BALLOT QUESTION
On July 8, 2024, the Waterford Township Board of Trustees approved the ballot language for the community center bond proposal that will appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot. Below you will find the language that will appear on your ballot.
Ballot language approved by the Township Board
COMMUNITY CENTER BOND PROPOSAL
Shall the Charter Township of Waterford, Oakland County, Michigan, borrow the principal amount of money not to exceed Thirty-Six Million Four Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($36,410,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor in one or more series for the purposes of acquiring, renovating, constructing, furnishing, and equipping a community center, to include without limitation public community facilities, parks and recreational facilities and structures, and additional Township office space, acquiring approximately 51 acres of land for such community center and related facilities, making site improvements, renovating existing facilities at the site of such community center and related facilities, and demolishing existing facilities at the site thereof as necessary or advisable, as well as all other work, equipment, and appurtenances necessary or incidental thereto? The maximum number of years each series of bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is 21 years; the estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year that the levy is authorized is 0.8492 mills ($0.8492 per $1,000 of taxable value of real and tangible personal property in the Township); and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire the bonds is 0.7587 mills ($0.7587 per $1,000 of taxable value of real and tangible personal property in the Charter Township of Waterford).
YES _____ NO _____
ESTIMATED BOND COST
Bond costs are calculated using your taxable value.
To calculate the year-one cost for the proposed Community Center bond on the November 5, 2024 ballot, please use the calculator below:
Your taxable value can be found on your tax bill or assessment notice (see examples below), or by searching on the Treasurer's website.
Your taxable value is not the same as your assessed value or state equalized value. For this calculation, please use taxable value.
Proposed Community Center Bond Cost Calculator
Note: Community Members may be eligible for the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit (the "Credit"). The Credit is a method through which some taxpayers can receive a credit for an amount of their property taxes that exceeds a certain percentage of household income. This program establishes categories under which homeowners or renters are eligible. We would recommend that community members consult their tax provider for eligibility and further information.
The above is an ESTIMATE of your net tax impact from the increase in millage for the above proposed bond issue. It is an estimate only and should not be relied upon as tax advice. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the exact impact on your tax computations.