John Tilmon of Batavia isn’t letting a failed referendum for a recreation center at Hall Quarry Beach stop him from pursuing another one in the future.

“I think it needs to be a question of why it didn’t pass and try to readjust the plans, location or whatever for the community who obviously spoke that the way it is now isn’t what they want,” said Tilmon, chairman of the grass-roots organization Friends for Batavia Recreation and Aquatic Center.

The $36 million referendum was rejected Tuesday by 65 percent of the voters, with only 32 percent in favor of the proposal.

Batavia Park District officials said the quarry is at a crossroads with diminishing attendance and operational deficits. Records show attendance at the quarry in 2006 was 92,201, compared with last year’s attendance of 27,627. The quarry also needs $1 million in repairs.

Dan Anderson, member of Save Our Quarry, said the voters have spoken.

“It was an overwhelming commentary that the people didn’t agree with the plan,” he said.

The mission of Save Our Quarry is to preserve the quarry “as a natural and historical recreation park for the enjoyment of area residents now and for future generations.”

Organization members would like to see the quarry located somewhere else.

Anderson said he’d like Park District officials to work with an outside agency to bring a rec center to Batavia rather than have the taxpayers pay for the facility.

Results of a community survey in 2007 found that 66 percent of respondents supported the construction of a community center. The Park District has two recreation centers that date back to the 1970s and 1980s, but officials said they do not have the amenities needed by today’s residents.