HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-2017 Regular MeetingMinutes of the Fairhope Recreation Board
January 18, 2017
The Fairhope Recreation Board met Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 5:15 p.m. in the Rec Center
at 803 North Greeno Road.
Present were Sherry Sullivan, Mary Gammer (left meeting at 6:37 p.m.), Charlie Langham, Jay
Robinson, Bob Keyser, Tom Kuhl, Vann Saltz, Derek Thomas, Cathy Hudson, and Robert
Brown (arrived at 5:25 p.m.). Absent: Michele Smith. Gayle Fogarty took minutes at the
meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Vann Saltz at 5:17 p.m. The minutes of the October 19, 2016
meeting minutes were considered and approved on a motion by Bob Keyser, seconded by Mary
Gammer, none opposed. Vann Saltz introduced and welcomed Jay Robinson, City
Councilmember to the Rec Board.
Tennis Center Update: Tomas Cartar provided an update to the board members, he stated that
the Tennis Center has 40 new members, 44 new add on members to the Rec Center memberships
and 988 Day Passes have been purchased since the center opened. Tomas added that more tennis
could be played if the lights were installed, the $125,000 expense for the lights has been
requested in the upcoming budget. He also presented the Rec Board with Adult League Rules and
Code of Conduct for the Mike Ford Tennis Center in Fairhope at Stimpson Park, and asked the
board to review and recommend the Adult League Rules and Code of Conduct to the City
Council for approval. There was general discussion among the board, they agreed to amend the
Adult League Rules and Code of Conduct to include: League Fee: $50.00 per player per season
for nomnembers. Member has to be in good standings during the entire duration of the season,
effective March 1, 2017, a motion was made by Derek Thomas, seconded by Bob Keyer, none
opposed to approve the Rules and Code of Conduct.
Vann Saltz introduced and welcomed Robert Brown, City Councilmember to the Rec Board.
Flag Football Update: Vann Saltz spoke on the Flag Football request that was received from
Elizabeth Hammock by e-mail (see attached). Tom Kuhl and Sherry Sullivan expressed some
concern with space for games/practices at Founders, Tom agreed it was good for the community.
Bob Keyser mentioned that Fairhope Elementary School had space available and Fairhope High
School between the band field and the fence. Sherry felt that it could be accommodated, there are
logistics to work out. She added that Flag Football would need to complete an application to
form a league and provide proof of insurance. Bob Keyser made a motion to support the
formation of a Flag Football League, based on the completion of the league application and
providing proof of insurance, and seconded by Mary Gammer, none opposed. Tom asked if the
children participating in the league would be Fairhope residents, Sherry stated that she would
check to be sure.
Discussion of 5 Year Plan: There was lengthy discussion among the board members of the 5
Year Plan lead by Bob Keyser, once discussion was complete, Bob Keyser made a motion to
present the Recreation Board's 5 Year Plan at the City Council meeting on February 13, 2017,
and seconded by Derek Thomas, none opposed.
Master Plan of Volanta: Sherry Sullivan presented the Master Plan of Volanta to the board
members, there was general discussion among the members.
Recreation Update: Tom Kuhl informed the group that the City is in the process of redoing the
fields at Founders and the open custodian position has been filled.
Announcements: Bob Keyser informed the board members that this is the first year for Fairhope
High School to have a Wrestling Program with 23 participants. He added that the next match will
be held at FHS on January 19 at 5 p.m., and that FHS Soccer will begin the second week of May.
Cathy Hudson stated that 75 kids are swimming this year and the girls placed I` in the county
meet and boys placed 2"d
Fairhope Soccer Complex: Sherry Sullivan stated that she is working with Robert Brown and
Jay Robinson on this project. She added that the City has applied for a grant for bleachers and
sidewalks though ADECA. The opening date for the Fairhope Soccer Complex is March 11,
2017, as well as the opening day for youth soccer. Sherry stated, that due to the cost, signage
maybe limited until next budget year. Bob Keyser added that the Buccaneer Bash will be held on
March. 3-4, 2017, 30 teams are signed up. He requested using the new complex for the Buccaneer
Bush, as it could be considered a soft opening for the complex and would make logistics easier
for the event by hosting the Bush in one location. There was general discussion among the
members, as to whether or not any play should take place on the field prior to opening day.
Sherry also informed the group that Master's Swim will donate an AED to the City Pool.
Being no ftirther business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
Gayle Fogarty
From:
Sherry Sullivan
Sent:
Monday, January 9, 2017 9:10 AM
To:
Gayle Fogarty
Cc:
Vann Saltz
Subject:
FW: Flag football
PLEASE ATTACH TO REC AGENDA.
THANKS,
SHERRY
From: Elizabeth Hammock [mailto:erhammock@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2017 2:26 PM
To: Sherry Sullivan <sherry.sullivan@cofairhope.com>
Cc: Vann Saltz <vannsaltz@yahoo.com>; Tom Kuhl <tom.kuhl@cofairhope.com>; Jamie Waldhour
<jamie.waldhour@fairhopeumc.org>; Wells Hammock <wellshammock@yahoo.com>
Subject: Flag football
January 6, 2017
Dear Sherry, Tom and Vann,
As you'll recall, I had the opportunity to present to the Recreation Board in August 2016. My husband and I
launched a youth flag football league in 2015 comprised of 4 teams and 32 children and anticipating league
growth, we were seeking ideas for additional field space. Given the uncompleted status of the new soccer
complex, the city was not able to spare any additional field space for our fall 2016 season.
In 2016, we capped the league at 8 teams comprised of approximately 80 children (grades K-4th). Thankfully,
Fairhope Elementary School, 3 Circles Church and First Baptist Church allowed us to use their field space. Our
season essentially runs from Labor Day through Halloween on Monday and Thursday evenings from 5:15-6:15
(due to the pending time change in late October, we run out of daylight by the end of the season at 6:30PM).
The league is an official Upward league, run through the Fairhope United Methodist Church. Without
advertising, it doubled in size in its second season (the league was publicized only by word of mouth and via the
sharing of Facebook posts). I believe the number of participants in youth flag football will continue to grow but
as you know, we are limited by field space.
I am writing to you to share with you the progress and success of the league but also in hopes that you will
consider the league and its field needs as you plan for usage of the city's facilities in Fall 2017.
Thank you and Happy New Year,
Elizabeth Hammock
MIKE FORD TENNIS CENTER
In Fairhope at Stimpson Park
Adult leagues Rules and Code of Conduct
Effective MARCH 1st
Captain's responsibilities:
• Every Team Captain, prior the new league sign up begins, must send written request regarding the use of
Mike Ford Tennis Center as their home site.
• Captain must send the league schedule (once officially published) to Tennis Manager. Tennis Manager will
schedule all the home matches. Soft courts and hard courts will be scheduled upon the captain's request.
City of Fairhope will do the best to accommodate soft court or hard court requests but will not guarantee
assigning all 6 or all requested soft courts or hard courts for every home match.
• Captain and team must check and confirm their court reservations, 2 days prior their home match.
Captain's will be responsible for the courts availability and match court reservations.
• League Fee: $50.00 per player per season for nonmembers. Member has to be in good standings during
the entire duration of the season.
• Captain is ultimately responsible for collecting all the league play fees.
• All the fees have to be paid prior the start of the new season.
City of Fairhope "Resident" and "Member" league sign up rules:
1. Every Team Captain must make his/her team available for the City of Fairhope residents or members and
must allow them to sign up if all following rules apply:
• The limit of maximum players on the team hasn't been reached.
• If the player has a same USTA rating (2,5; 3.0; 3.5; 4.0; 4.5 etc.) or one level lower playing
rating as team's league rating.
2. City of Fairhope is not responsible for the captain's decisions regarding the team line up, match
scheduling and doubles teams pairing.
Captain is responsible for providing all the information related to the league play to their players (Sign up
information, schedule, scheduling, team line up, site court information and court assignment, etc).
Fairhope Recreation Board
Five Year Plan (2016-2021)
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 include, while 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. Design and award of a construction contract for a new concession and restrooms at Manley
Soccer Complex by the Fairhope Soccer Club.
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 Winter 2016.
4. 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.
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. Pickleball courts have been incorporated into the existing tennis courts at Stimpson as well
as the basketball court at the Recreation Center.
8. Acquisition of $90,000 in goals by Fairhope Soccer Club for the new Manley Road Complex.
9. Construction of 6 new Hydro tennis courts at the Mike Ford Tennis Center at Stimpson Park.
10. Installation of air conditioning in the visitors' concession standat Majors Field.
11. Construction of a new playground at the Youth Baseball fields at Volanta Park.
12. Replacement of fences at the Founders Park softball complex with netting which reaches
higher to better contain foul balls.
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. 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 — Winter
2016. 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 does not have
running water and has limited electrical service. 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. 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. Complete a master plan for the buildout of the municipal pool. Projected start 2017. Usage
of the municipal pools has grown significantly in the past two years. Daily usage has risen to in excess of
600 people, taxing the ability of the treatment systems to keep up. Additional pools and/or splash pads
are needed to meet ongoing use, and to support swimming competitions for youth, school and master
swim organizations. A master plan should be developed to provide facilities that will meet future needs
and optimize the use of space and current assets.
Priority S. Implement Phase 1 of the municipal pool master plan. Projected start date 2017/18. It is
anticipated that the master plan will result in a recommendation for addition of a splash pad/water park
as well as the addition of a second lap pool, potentially Olympic sized, with a diving well. It is
recommended that the less expensive addition be constructed to alleviate the immediate strain on the
existing pools.
Priority 6. Repairs and Improvements to Founders Park Softball Complex. Projected start date 2017.
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. Brick knee -walls and netting need to
replace chain link backstops. Parking along the east side of the fields needs to be paved. The
concession stand and press boxes need to be evaluated for space utilization, with consideration of the
vacancy of the soccer concession and meeting room at Founders Park.
Priority 7. Prepare a Master Plan for growth of Disc Golf. Projected start date 2018. The Volanta Park
disc golf course continues to grow in popularity and has hosted multiple tournaments. The engineering
study may recommend improvements or alterations to the existing course, and consideration may be
recommended for the construction of an additional Disc Golf Course. A master plan should be
developed which will allow for continued growth of the sport in the community.
Priority 8. Develop a Master Plan for Colony Nature Park. The Colony Nature Park has been
transferred to the City by the Single Tax Colony. A master plan needs to be developed for space
utilization of this land, including possible walking trails, disc golf course and other improvements.
Priority 9. Expand the Barnwell concession stand. Projected start date — 2019. The current concession
is becoming too small to service the growth in youth football. Expansion would allow concession space,
additional storage on the second floor and additional restroom stalls to accommodate the sizeable
crowds at the venue. 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 10. Add a new racquetball court at the Recreation Center. Needed immediately, the
racquetball court is difficult to schedule due to its popularity. Given anticipated growth in the area, this
addition is needed.
Priority 11. Implement recommendations of Colony Nature Park master plan. This will provide
additional recreational opportunities for the community and relieve the loading on other recreation
facilities.
Priority 12. Construct an Olympic -sized swimming pool (50m x 25 yds) with diving well adjacent to the
existing indoor pool. Projected start date — 2020. 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 addition of the pool could relieve the overloading of the existing outdoor pools.
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