It pleased us to see that Alpena County’s survey on the community’s desires for an expanded APlex received so many responses.

More than 1,100 residents responded to the survey, telling officials they’re interested in a new community pool, more gym space with turf, and an expanded fitness area, according to a recent story by News staff writer Steve Schulwitz.

Several residents also participated in a forum with officials from C2AE, the consultancy firm helping local leaders craft a more detailed proposal for expanding the APlex.

The whole project has been a community effort from the start, with the county partnering with Alpena Public Schools, the Park Family Foundation, and others to begin working out a proposal. The partners shared in the cost of hiring C2AE.

The APlex, adjacent to the county-owned Northern Lights Arena, is a community treasure. It’s where people work out, where people go to concerts, where kids learn karate and gymnastics, where community groups, such as the Rotary Club of Alpena, hold their meetings, and where some couples begin their lives together by hosting wedding ceremonies and receptions.

The community should have a say in what the APlex looks like moving forward.

We say thanks to the community leaders for providing multiple avenues for the public to help craft the plan.

And we say thanks to the community for stepping up and taking advantage of those opportunities.

Whatever the APlex looks like years from now, we’ll know Northeast Michigan had a say in developing it.

And we’re grateful for that.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)