Many of Tuesday’s primary election races were close –– and that didn’t exclude the bond extension proposal for the City of Maryville for expansion of the Maryville Community Center.

With an unofficial count Tuesday evening, Maryville voters opted to extend an already existing bond with a 59.26 percent total vote approval for the bond.

With 854 ‘yes’ votes and 587 voting ‘no,’ the bond squeaked through after narrowly passing the 57.14 percent required ‘yes’ votes.

The $1.9 million expansion project, which extends the current bond until the year 2028, does not increase tax rates for Maryville citizens.

Having opened in 2003, the Community Center has grown too large to accommodate members and those who use the facility for rentals and other events.

Rod Auxier, director of Maryville Parks and Recreation (and the MCC), said he feels relieved by the bond’s approval, and can’t wait to make much needed improvements for citizens.

He said he didn’t have a prediction of the bond proposal prior to Tuesday’s election.

“I really didn’t have a good feel,” he said. “Most of the groups (he’d made presentations to) were supportive of the project, as well as people at the Community Center — who were really the ones who initiated the expansion process.”

A call to architects today will set the ball in motion for the project, at which time drawings will be made and a bid for contractors will go out for 30-60 days. Another bid for the chosen contractors will last an additional 30 days. Auxier predicts that the construction will begin at the beginning of 2009. Outdoor construction, such as the steel work, will go up as soon as possible to avoid weather delays. After that area is enclosed, crews will be able to continue expansion on the interior of the current Community Center.

Auxier predicts a total construction time to be at least eight months.

He will present options and review the results with the current Parks and Recreation Board members at tomorrow evening’s monthly board meeting.

The $1.9 million will cover the cost of construction and fees associated with it, as well as the cost for the new equipment, so Auxier doesn’t predict that Community Center member prices will increase due to the expansion.

“The only thing affecting pricing are minimum wage increases and the cost of the utilities to run the facility — both things we can’t help,” he said.

Expansion changes will include: a larger aerobics room, a new cardio room, a new yoga room, a separate weight room, storage areas, additional fitness equipment, larger meeting room and other possible changes including an added concessions area.

For more information about the Community Center expansion contact Auxier at (660) 562-2923.