Centerton asks residents to approve new bond issues
CENTERTON, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The city of Centerton is asking voters to extend the bonds they currently have and to approve bonds for a new community center, street improvements, and expand the police department.
It’s a 30-year bond and Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards says he hopes the public will vote “yes” for it.
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Centerton resident Brian Reilly hasn’t voted yet, but when he does, he says he is voting against adding a community center to the city’s bond issues.
He says he is already paying taxes in the city and doesn’t want to pay an additional membership fee for the center.
He doesn’t want to share the facility with swim teams or non-Centerton residents.
“This is our community. We already pay taxes. Well, why? Why is this another fee again? I don’t agree with it,” Reilly said.
Edwards is asking residents to vote for an additional $26 million to build the 50,000-square-foot community center.
It will be placed west of Keller Road on land the city already owns.
“We get a lot of requests for that, and we are a growing community. And, we are in a financial position to do that now,” Edwards said.
Edwards says there are a few amenities the city is hoping to put in if it’s approved by voters.
“Wanna do an outdoor pickleball court because pickleball seems to be a big sport here,” he said.
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He says they also want multiple pools, a gym, a locker room, and two or three meeting rooms.
“We have a community room now that is in our old city hall. And that room is rented nonstop. There’s a big need for that,” Edwards said.
Another bond issue that you will find on the ballot is $13.1 million for street improvements.
“I have no problems with the street improvement. We need it. There’s so many potholes here in Centerton. You break axle if you turn the wrong way,” Reilly said.
Edwards says they are in partnership with Bentonville and the bond will go towards Greenhouse Road.
“We are proposing to make that four lanes with a center divider and those plans are about 30% done. And, you know, we want to move forward with that project too. There’s a lot of growth here,” he said.
The city is also asking residents to vote for a 500,000 expansion for the police department.
“It will probably increase the building probably another 33% because we run out of space here as our city grows,” Edwards said. “I know when I started, we only had six officers, now we have 31. So, we need room.”
Reilly says he has no problem voting for this issue because the city is growing and police need the extra funds.
Edwards says if the community votes “yes,” for the community center, construction will start next year and will be open in early 2026.
He also wants feedback from the community and will keep them updated throughout the process.
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