The Medford City Council will consider an amendment to the construction of the Rogue Credit Union Community Complex, or "Rogue X," at the next city council meeting. If approved, the amendment will cap the project at $66.7 million dollars (excluding owner-carried expenses) down from $75.8 million due to a rise in construction materials.

"We’re not cutting down the size of the facility or any of the amenities that were originally proposed," said Medford City Manager, Brian Sjothun. "There are some alternative materials that we can substitute from the original plan. It's not that we’re cheapening the materials, it's just that we’re having some cost measured to be able to reflect the price," he said.

Sjothun said that difficulties like the ones affecting this project are common among other projects all across the country, with the price of building goods going up due to strains caused by the pandemic.

"It's an unfortunate thing that we’re up against this, but we've found ways to push some projects back," said Sjothun.

Despite the financial setback, Sjothun says that residents in the city of Medford will not pay any additional taxes or fees for the construction of the facility.

"We saved $29 million dollars on the financing of this facility over the original projection of what we thought the interests rates were going to be. So yes, we are $15 million over our construction estimates from 2-2.5 years ago, but overall were saving $29 million overall in the debt service," he said.

Sjothun says that in addition to providing families in the community a place to play and exercise, the facility will boost tourism in the area and attract those who may not have a facility like this in their own towns and cities.

"There will be millions and millions of dollars of economic impact of people staying at our hotels, eating at our restaurants and traveling to Medford," said Sjothun. "This facility has been 40 plus tears in the making, it has been one of the highest priorities if not the highest priority listed in the parks and recreation leisure services plan since 1980," he said.

The project is slated to begin construction this spring and be open to the public by September of 2023.