HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-2009 Parks and Recreation Advisory Council Minutes PARK& RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
January 8,2009
In attendance: Duane Taber,Mike Mathews, Grace Adams,Edmon Daniels, Cheryl Smyth, Tom
Davenport and Rebecca Francik. Staff: Stan Strebel,Administrative and Community Services Director,
Paul Whitemarsh,Recreation Services Manager and Dan Dotta,Facilities Services Manager.
The minutes for the November 6 meeting were considered, and with the correction that Grace Adams was
excused from the meeting,minutes were approved as otherwise presented.
STAFF REPORTS
Recreation
Paul indicated that the YMCA had finally been successful in hiring a new director at the MLK Center.
Basketball and indoor soccer activities were underway and the Cyber Stop center is continuing to see
increases in attendance. With the current remodeling of the library, Cyber Stop is being used for an
additional 2 hours per day, adding library staff,homework center and other library services until the
facility remodeling is complete. (Stan also took a moment to advise the Council that the City Council
was undertaking a Library Services and Facilities Preference survey,the results to advise the Council in
the future regarding continuation of the agreement with Mid-Columbia Library for library operations.)
Paul indicated that the Bulldog Basketball Clinic, over three nights, drew an average of 75— 100
participants. There are 44 youth teams involved. There were 1,930 people registered for the 30'h annual
Cable Bridge Run. However, due to the"weather at the last minute"there were some 500 no-shows.
Still,Paul feels that the event was very successful.
The Senior Center recently completed a number of holiday activities for the Christmas and Thanksgiving
season. Also,Recreation staff assisted with the First Night activities at Columbia Basin College.
Maintenance
Dan indicated that training and maintenance of small equipment was ongoing. Pruning is being done in
many of the parks and other areas.
OLD BUSINESS
Stan introduced the topic of the name for the new park in First Place subdivision,noting that the Council
had previously preferred the name Bermuda Dunes for the new park. Stan had provided a map of the
subdivision showing the proximity of the proposed Bermuda Dunes Dr. to the new park and questioned
whether there would be some confusion, inasmuch as the park is not located on the street. Tom indicated
that he was willing to reconsider and wondered if Desert Dunes Park might be a more suitable name,
having ties to the whole area. After discussion, several Council members supported this idea, and upon
motion made by Tom, seconded by Edmon,the name of Desert Dunes Park was approved for
recommendation to the City Council.
Memorial Pool
Stan advised the Council that the City Council had approved the design contract for Memorial Pool with
plans to bid the project this summer, insuring that construction will begin in September after the closure
of the pool. He explained it was likely that the Myrtha System for renovation of the pool would be used,
it having the most potential to save money and to expedite the renovation process. Other users of this
system have been contacted and very favorable references have been received.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.