Evendale Recreation Commission
August 21, 2008
Called to order at 7:33am
Roll Call: Stiney Vonderhaar, Michele Gottschlich, Pam Meyers, David Nichols, Wayne Mosley, Mary Lou Isaac. Absent: Gus Janszen and Grace Ficke.
Recognition of Visitors: Cary Belyea, SwimSafe Pool Management
Monica Mazzone, Jessica White, Toni Kraft, Sheila Sieder,
Lisa Toney, Denise Hales, Jackie Beck, Tom Alge, and Michael LaPlant
Citizens requesting additional tennis courts
Motion to Approve Minutes made by Pam Meyers; seconded by Stiney Vonderhaar. Motion approved.
Additions to the Agenda: none
New Business:
A. Cary Belyea, SwimSafe Pool Management
· The season has been great, so far. There have been two saves, which happened early in the summer. Everyone’s attitude has been the best in three years which helped earn Evendale SwimSafe’s “Pool of the Month” award for July. Much of the credit goes to the experience and age of the Evendale guards. Six people have been recently certified as guards, and look forward to working here next season.
· Commission commended the SwimSafe newsletter copies, which were enclosed in the packets, because the information added to the communication to the guards and staff.
· Swim lessons and diving lessons went well this year. Cary believes the diving lesson program should return next year and expand.
· 2008 saw a third Funbrella installed, and the main and wading pools and slide exterior were painted.
· 2009 will see a fourth Funbrella installed, the joints in the pool will be caulked, and new drain covers will be purchased. Drain covers must be upgraded because of the recent passing of the Graeme-Baker Act.
· At this time, SwimSafe manages ten pools. Cary likes the great facilities and the great kids, and plans to bid this Fall. Commission hopes he does bid because he does a great job.
The pool management bids will go out in late October or early November. Dave plans on having the bid before council in December for final acceptance.
B. Monica Mazzone, Jessica White, Toni Kraft, Sheila Sieder, Lisa Toney, Denise Hales, Jackie Beck, Tom Alge, and Michael LaPlant, “Residents Requesting Additional Tennis Courts.”
· The ladies’ tennis program is growing, up 20% this season and expecting another 25% increase in 2009. The children’s and men’s programs are also growing.
· This is a family sport that parents are introducing their children to as seen in our youth lessons and youth leagues. Anyone at any age can play tennis so families can play this sport together rather than one age level sitting on the sidelines while others play. A 45 to 90 minute wait for court time is not uncommon.
· Queen City Racquetball Club and Princeton Schools’ tennis courts are not convenient and not always available. Carpenter's Creek courts are not convenient and residents cannot use them while our matches are going on. Additional practice times and days have been added to help alleviate the problem but as we continue to grow it will become an issue again. Additional courts either in the Baxter Park area or on the south end of the old Churchhill property would be ideal.
· Adding one court would ease the situation and allow for entry into the USTA; however, the group feels we need a minimum of two so all of our players can play at one time at one location. Secondly, multiple additional courts is cost effective since most of the cost is in getting site work completed, supplies and equipment to the location etc., while the second, third and even fourth courts require a little more site work and supplies.
· Many signatures have been collected from residents supporting the installation of additional courts.
· Some kids have learned tennis here, then played in our leagues, and returned during and after college to teach tennis shows that tennis will be strong here for many years to come.
· Stiney Vonderhaar will meet with Monica to discuss what documentation will be needed for the council committee which is the next step in the process.
· Each spring, Dave creates a capital improvement five year master plan and submits it to the Chief Fiscal Officer. Dave does have new courts listed for 2010; so 2009 would be a year ahead of schedule.
· Commission would like to know what other capital items does this department, and the village, have for 2009? What priority would tennis courts have on the list?
· A recommendation to submit this to the council committee to explore the financial possibilities of adding additional tennis courts in 2009 was made by Stiney Vonderhaar; seconded by Mary Lou Isaac. Recommendation approved.
Old Business:
A Tri-Health Report as noted in the commission packet.
· Commission extends their congratulations to Stephanie on her recent marriage.
· Tri-Health will be presenting their quarterly report at the September meeting.
B. SwimSafe Pool Management – as noted in the discussion.
Director’s Report:
· Citizen Input session - Residents will be invited to attend an input session at the Recreation Center. We are looking for “overall” input concerning the Recreation Department. It will be held on Tuesday, September 9th, 6:30pm, in the Activity Room of the Recreation Center. If someone cannot attend the meeting, but would like to give input, please contact David Nichols at 563-2247, x602 or David.nichols@EvendaleOhio.org.
· The playground is complete and a new sidewalk and retaining wall have been added behind the racquetball court area. Public Works did a great job with the wall and sidewalk.
· The Flex Room walls have been re-carpeted with new floor baseboards.
· Swim Team won the NSSL championship, again. This was Chad Winkle’s first win and he plans to be back next year. Chad did a good job and instituted a few programs which enhanced the team atmosphere.
· The budget sub-committee will meet today.
· The first version of the trail pamphlet was distributed for commission review.
Phi Lambda Pi Report:
· As noted in the commission packet (It was good to see no injures happened during the Myrtle Beach trip.)
· 2009 marks the 50th Anniversary of Phi Lambda Pi; and reunion plans are underway.
Open Discussion:
· Cultural Arts Center has an open house scheduled for Saturday, September 6th from 11am – 3pm.
· Approximately twelve people are currently enrolled in fall classes, and more are expected to enroll at the open house.
· A suggestion was made to have more evening classes.
· At the Recreation Commission’s September meeting, Tri-Health will be present, and Stiney will invite a Cultural Arts member to be present at the October meeting.
Motion to adjourn made at 9:25am by Wayne Mosley; seconded by Stiney Vonderhaar. Motion approved.
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