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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-2016 Regular MeetingMinutes of the Fairhope Recreation Board January 20, 2016 The Fairhope Recreation Board met Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:15 p.m. in the Rec Center at 803 North Greeno Road. Present were Bob Keyser (arrived at 5:25 p.m.), Charlie Langham, Cathy Hudson, Mary Gammer, Derek Thomas (arrived at 5:30 p.m.) Tom Kuhl, Vann Saltz, Michelle Smith, and Sherry Sullivan. Diana Brewer and Mike Ford and were absent. Gayle Fogarty took minutes at the meeting. The meeting was called to order by Vann Saltz at 5:15 p.m. The minutes of the November 18, 2015 and December 2, 2015 meeting minutes were considered and approved on a motion by Charlie Langham, seconded by Cathy Hudson, none opposed. Guests: Chad Casstevens and Kim Smith of Fairhope Girls Softball, they attended the meeting to express their interest in growing the softball league. They also informed the group that they will offer a softball coaches clinic and asked if there were limitations on tournaments. Sherry Sullivan stated that parking and personnel are the two issues with tournaments and need to be planned in advance hosting a tournament. There was general discussion of the softball league, Vann Saltz informed Chad and Kim of the team summit coming up next week. He also mentioned that opening day for softball and baseball are on March 12, 2016. Old Business: Sherry Sullivan informed the group that the Tennis Franchise agreement is all set — already teaching. She added that the pre -bid meeting will be held for tennis tomorrow, and if a tennis pro can be hired it will be based on the tennis bid. The tennis bids will open the 11 week of February. Recreation Update: Tom Kuhl provided an update to the group, he stated that Sunset Rotary BBQ & Brew will also be held on March 12, 2016. He added that the peanut field will be rebuilt this winter, tennis is doing well, light are now on a timer. (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Tom added that Senior Bowl Practice will be held at Volanta on January 26, 2016, ESPN will tape the practice with a drone. Sherry Sullivan also provided an update on recreation, stating that the team summit will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 7 p.m., leagues should be prepared to submit any requests for the Recreation Board 5 year plan. She added that GitFitFairhope is in place and will offer residents the opportunity to participate in activities to stay active. Sherry stated that the Manley Road Complex is behind schedule, due to the heavy rains, the pool will be closing the 31 week of February for maintenance. There was also general discussion about the visitors concession stand at Volanta. She also informed the group that the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation will fund some of the concession stand at Manley. Dirk F1ad and Sherry will meet soon to discuss further. Mary Gammer informed the group that the FTA Tournament is set for the last weekend in April. Bob Keyser informed the group that the Halloween Tournament was a success and stated that Soccer's opening day will be March 5, 2016. Mike Ford mentioned the visitor's side press box and asked for an update, Tom Kuhl informed the group that there is a space issue, Charlie Langham added that Rich Mueller is working on a design for the visitor's press box. Cathy Hudson informed the group that swim is quiet right now and high school students want to coach this summer. Michelle Smith stated that Master Swim donated $500 to Rotary and donated a digital clock to the Fairhope Pool, Master's Invitational will be held on February 13-14, 2016. Charlie Langham informed the group that he spoke to Cecil Christenberry, Cecil informed him that the old Fairhope Intermediate School grass area can be used for Recreation space, if needed while the school board is not using that property at the present time. Vann Saltz stated that he would like to discuss the 5 Year Plan for the Rec Board at the next meeting. Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Fairhope Recreation Board Five Year Plan (2016-2021) Draft The Fairhope Recreation Board updates its Five Year Plan biannually to provide recommendations to the Fairhope City Council on capital investments in recreational facilities. The Plan was developed with input from the recreational community, including concerned individuals and league officials operating sanctioned recreational programs at recreational areas. Among organizations providing input were Fairhope Youth Football, Fairhope Youth Baseball, Fairhope Tennis Association, Fairhope Soccer League, Fairhope Youth Softball, Fairhope Master Swimmers, Fairhope Youth Basketball, and the Fairhope Pirate Booster Club. Much work has been done in making capital improvements to city recreation facilities over the past several years. Investments and improvements includeWhile the Five Year Plan laid out below identifies a potential path forward for investment in capital improvements in recreation facilities, it should be noted that progress in this arena has been ongoing. In the past 2 years, the following investments have been made: 1. In partnership with the Fairhope Soccer Club and the Pirate Booster Club, acquisition of 6 new pairs of goals and repair to 7 damaged goals to support program growth at Founders Park soccer fields. 2. In partnership with the Fairhope Pirate Booster Club and the Fairhope Rotary Club, construction of a new main concession stand at Majors Field. 3. Construction of a new 9-field soccer complex on 40 acres at the city's Manley Road site. Construction is ongoing, with estimated completion in Spring 2016. 4. Planning, design and programmed construction of a new concession, restrooms, storage and meeting area by the Fairhope Soccer Club and the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation. 5. Renovation of Fairhopers Community Park to meet ADA accessibility needs, eliminate safety issues and provide a splash -pad. 6. Municipal stadium buildings have been painted and a new metal roof was installed on the concession stand. 7. Picklebail courts have been incorporated into the existing tennis courts at Stimpson as well as the basketball court at the Recreation Center. 8. Acquisition of 48 goals by Fairhope Soccer Club for the new Manley Road Complex. 9. Design and bid for construction of 6 new tennis courts at Stimpson Park. Routine operation and maintenance activities continue to be strained by program growth within the city's recreation programs. Current registrations show baseball with over 800 participants, soccer with over 1000, football with over 300, softball over 200, and basketball over 150. The Fairhope Area Swim Team, Fairhope Master Swimmers and Fairhope High School Swim Team keep the city pool in constant demand. The high volume of users of facilities has produced a nearly year round need for facilities. The Volanta baseball and Founders softball fields are used throughout the spring and early summer, and resume in September with fall ball. The Barnwell football fields are used from mid -summer to early winter, and then are used in the early spring to support high school and middle school soccer tournaments hosted in Fairhope. The soccer fields at Founders Park are used year round with approximate 2 week breaks in June and December for maintenance and refurbishment. This heavy usage drives more frequent mowing, painting and minor repair of equipment, which will be difficult, if not unsustainable, given level or diminishing resources. The Stimpson Tennis courts are experiencing steady usage, and are inadequate to support participation in league play. In recognition of program growth, as well as opportunities for recreational tourism, the Recreation Board recommends the following investments be made in recreational facilities. The investments have been prioritized based on what the board believes to be both the most urgent needs as well as greatest potential benefit. Costs are estimated. Priority 1. Complete an engineering study of Volanta Park. Projected start date 2016. Estimated cost $80,000. Youth baseball participation has exceeded field capacity at Volanta Park. However, topography, proximity of both the new dog park and the disc golf course, and parking, limit the current feasibility of expansion. An engineering study is needed to assess the existing property and identify modifications and improvements that would allow for the addition of at least one baseball field, additional parking, and improved drainage and storm water management, without compromising the aesthetic qualities that make Volanta Park such an attractive venue. it would also improve the safety of the site. Priority 2. Refurbish the visitors concession stands at Majors Field. Projected start date — summer 2016. Estimated cost - $5,000. The concession stands in the municipal stadium have been undersized, underpowered, outdated and unfinished. In the past year, a new home concession stand was constructed to better accommodate both the crowds during football games, and provide more effective and efficient preparation and service areas for the volunteer staff. The visitors concession still requires renovation, as it is not air-conditioned, does not have running water and has limited electrical service. The recommendation is to install the air conditioning unit that was removed from the former home concession in the visitor's stand. The existing sink needs to be connected to a potable water supply and sewer, and additional electrical capacity needs to be provided to accommodate multiple heat lamps, food warmers, coolers, and the AC system. Priority 3. Renovate Volanta Park consistent with results of the engineering study. Projected start date 2017. Estimated cost — unknown. As a follow-on to our Priority 1 project, this project would implement the recommendations of the engineering study previously performed. Anticipated outcomes from this project would be the addition of at least one more baseball field to accommodate program growth, relocation of an isolated field which currently presents safety issues due to being surrounded by parking and driveways, additional parking to support events both at the baseball fields as well as at the municipal stadium, and Improved drainage and storm water management. The study may also recommend modifications to the existing disc golf course to accommodate field expansion. Priority 4. Construct a splash pad at the municipal pool. Projected start date 2017/18. Estimated cost - $100,000. The municipal pool remains a popular venue during the summer months. Splash pads have become attractive additions at parks, and would allow individuals to cool off without actually climbing into a pool, which would be particularly appealing to families with small children. The splash pad would also help reduce some of the crowding of the pools. Priority S. Repairs and Improvements to Founders Park Softball Complex. Projected start date 2017. Estimated cost is $100,000. The softball complex is 15 years old and in need of updating and repair. There is a need for 2 additional batting cages, and pitching/warmup areas (bullpens) for each field. Fences between the dugouts need to come down and be replaced with brick knee -walls and netting which can extend higher than the existing fences. The concession stand needs to be rebuilt as a 2-story structure that includes meeting rooms and storage. All press boxes need to be removed. Parking along the east side of the fields needs to be paved. Priority 6. Improvements/Expansion of Disc Golf Course. Projected start date 2018. Estimated cost — unknown. The Volanta Park disc golf course continues to grow in popularity and has hosted multiple tournaments. The engineering study may recommend alteration of the existing course, but with the activity's growing popularity, the need for additional facilities seems imminent. A considerable amount of open land surrounds the Scout building at the corner of Twin Beech Rd and County Road 13, which would provide an excellent location for a new disc golf course in a different venue. Priority 7. Expand the Barnwell concession stand. Projected start date — 2019. Estimated cost - $20,000. The current concession is becoming too small to service the growth in youth football. An expansion of 8 to 10 feet to the south would allow concession space, as well as additional storage on the second Floor. Along with the expansion would be installation of a new, properly sized HVAC unit that can treat the air in both the concession and in the storage/meeting area to prevent degradation of the stored equipment. Priority 8. Additional bleachers for the Rec Center Gym. Projected start date — TBD. Estimated cost - $8,000. The existing bleachers are too small to accommodate the number of spectators and are not comfortable for adult spectators. Larger bleachers, both in capacity and size are needed to support youth basketball. Priority 9. Expand the Recreation Center to add class space, training rooms and new racquetball court. Projected start date 2019. Estimated cost - $500,000. The new recreation center has become crowded during classes, and the racquetball court is difficult to schedule due to its popularity. Given anticipated growth, additional space for more fitness/training classes as well as a second racquetball court is expected to be needed by 2017. Additional space will also allow for greater flexibility and additional offerings in the activities that take place at the facility, e.g. team handball, indoor soccer. Priority 10. Construct an Olympic -sized swimming pool (50m x 25 yds) with diving well adjacent to the existing indoor pool. Projected start date — 2020. Estimated cost - $2-3 million. This will provide Olympic regulation pool lengths of 25 yds in the winter and 50 m in the summer. In addition to competition length requirements, this size pool will accommodate a variety of water related activities, and allow for both regional and national swimming events. The pool could replace the existing outdoor pool.