Sallisaw Voters To Decide On Sales Tax To Build New Swimming Complex, Skate Park

Voters in Sallisaw will soon decide whether to extend an existing half-cent sales tax to build a new swimming complex and skate park.

A 1/2 cent sales tax has been supporting the Sallisaw Sports Complex for almost ten years, and the city said it is almost paid off. 

Now the city wants to keep that tax going, this time, for two other big projects: a swimming complex, and a skate park. 

"For every two dollars spent, it's one penny. So it's not that much,” Sallisaw City Manager Keith Skelton said.  

Skelton said if approved, the 1/2 cent sales tax would continue for another eight years. 

Built back in 1960, the city said its current swimming pool is outdated.  

"It's pretty old. And there's really no amenities to it. It's basically just a pool. And just to put it bluntly: it's wore out,” Skelton said.  

While plans are not final, the city promises a more modern pool if the tax is passed. 

The skatepark would offer a place for bikes, rollerblades and skateboards. 

If voters approve of the tax on February 8th, planning would start soon and Skelton said construction could begin as early as a year from now. 

AMY: "What's the city's confidence level that this will pass?"  

SKELTON: "Well, we're pretty confident. We've had a lot of positive feedback. We've been posting a lot of information on our city Facebook page." 

If approved, the sales tax is expected to generate more than $6 million dollars. 

Skelton said if there is any leftover money, the city plans to build tennis courts and soccer fields, too. 

To learn more about the proposal, click here.