Tupelo spent $4.1 million on its recreation complex. A decade ago, Ridgeland constructed a multisport facility for $4.8 million. Petal is about to open a refurbished park for a bargain — $1.7 million.

Vicksburg, it appears, wants to dwarf them all. Vicksburg wants to spend between $18 million and $20 million on a facility that, money-wise, would dwarf all others in the state. As badly as Vicksburg needs a recreation complex — and it does to keep up with other cities —the price tag is simply unpalatable. Are we planning on building Yankee Stadium on U.S. 61 North?

Scant on details, the Vicksburg park would be built “somewhere on U.S. 61 North,” presumably outside the city limits, seeing as how there appears to be no space large enough inside the lines. On what land and whose property it is are unknown. We have been promised details, but few have emerged except the price tag — up to $20 million. It would be paid for by an increase in the food and beverage and hotel taxes in Vicksburg. While many residents would not be affected by the motel tax, those who eat and drink out — provided people still want to visit local eateries — would be forced to pay more. Is that equitable? It’s much like a penalty for eating in your own town. Why not tax all people who drive red cars? It makes about as much sense.

Building a modern recreation complex will be costly and some kind of tax increase likely will be needed. The money will not fall from the sky.

But we wonder if a bit of thought and valuing of the local dollar were utilized could a facility be built, at least equal to those in other Mississippi cities, and not cost millions more?

Petal is planning on unveiling its refurbished park in April. The costs were kept low, in part, by the work of volunteers. Navy Seabees from Gulfport and community involvement have done everything from moving dirt, working on drainage and pouring concrete. What a great idea! But where to get volunteers willing to do work for the betterment of the community?

• On Monday, a plane full of AmeriCorps national volunteers landed in Jackson en route to the regional headquarters at the old All Saints’ Episcopal School. Volunteering is their job, and they already are here. Why let them wait for a disaster, put them to work.

• We are home to the 412th Theater Engineer Command and the U.S. Army Environmental Research and Development Center, so there is no shortage of brain power and engineers.

• And how about a call to the public for service since it will be the residents who will gain the most from a new facility?

Those living in reality know that times are tough and needs are great. One of those needs facing Vicksburg is the need for a new recreation complex. We only wish that the ones pushing this expenditure were living in the same reality.

We need a park. We need it modern, with bells and whistles to attract the best tournaments and the most people.

But we must question the thought process of continuing to push a park that is 4 to 5 times as expensive as those in other Mississippi cities. Seeing as we are already more than $3 million in the hole for two past “grand recreational plans,” we can up the cost to between $21 million and $23 million.

Money does not grow on trees. If only our elected leaders would understand that.