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Recreation Commission Minutes 08/20/09
Evendale Recreation Commission
August 20, 2009

Called to Order at 7:32am.

Roll Call: Stiney Vonderhaar, Wayne Mosley, David Nichols, John Doviak, Michele Gottschlich, Pamela Meyers, Alex Mosley, and Gus Janszen.

Recognition of Visitors:
        Amanda Hopkins, Reporter with the Community Press
        Chad Winkle, Evendale Swim Team Head Coach
        Cary Belyea, SwimSafe Pool Management
        Jennifer Shapiro, Lifestyle Essentials

Motion to approve minutes made by Michele Gottschlich; seconded by Wayne Mosley. Motion approved.

Additions to the agenda:  none

New Business:
a.  Jennifer Shapiro
  • Summer class attendance dipped as it usually does; but the Wall of Champions board has increased in number.
  • An “All Star Baseball” themed challenge was held for the summer incentive program. The National League won the challenge. Sal Scrofano was the American League MVP; and Beth Finan was the MVP for the National League.
  • The “Evendale 100” was held again this year and John Doviak was first to complete 100 points of activity.  A request was made to break this into a beginner level and an advanced level event.
  • Feedback has been positive; the few members concerned at the beginning of the year have been won over.
  • A request was made for more classes during the evenings and during childcare hours.
  • A comment was also received regarding marks and stains on the floor. This will be taken care of this weekend during the annual maintenance weekend. The cardio equipment will also be rotated at that time.
  • A question was raised about the pool closed for general swimming during the water aerobics class. David will investigate.
b. Cary Belyea
  • It has been a good and safe summer. John Bennett has done a fantastic job as manager. He has developed a great repore’ with the staff and the pool has been very clean this year. John will be back next year to manage the pool.
  • The Adult Lap Swim on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays has expanded this year ; and John has much to do with this.
  • In the last three weeks there have been two saves.  Robbie Flavin and Luke Shadley were each quick to respond when two young people entered water above their heads.
  • Four guards (Stephen Bennett, Mark Gottschlich, Alex Shadley, Robbie Flavin, and Danny McCarthy) competed in the Red Cross Challenge for Lifeguards; and did well.
  • Upcoming events include Ladies Night Out at the Pool and Dog Day at the Pool.
  • Hours changed for weekday hours (now 4-8pm); while weekends remain Noon – 8pm. The last day for the season will be Monday, September 7th.
  • Off season projects include looking for leaks. Cary estimates we are loosing 12,000-15,000 gallons of water per day. This amount of water loss increases the cost of running the pool; therefore while the special leak test is expensive, the cost amount saved in the long run will cover the testing cost.
  • One issue that arose this summer involved the lifeguard boys borrowing each other’s swimsuits and not returning them to the proper owner.  Cary is investigating.
  • Cary thanks everyone on commission for their support and feedback. He enjoys working with the department, commission and the village. These sentiments are returned to him.
c. Chad Winkle
  • It was a great season. The team went undefeated and won the championship. Next year, the championship meet is at Wyoming. Stiney, on behalf of Village Council, extended congratulations on the Championship win.
  • The streak of wins is because of a different mentality, parent involvement and swimmer dedication. Children usually join the swim team right out of the swim lesson program so the team starts young and build a sense of community within the community.
  • Thank you’s to the Recreation Department, Recreation Commission, Parents’ board, and SwimSafe were given. Thank you to Mother Nature for giving the season good weather.
  • Two new coaches this year were Laura Flynn and Robbie Flavin.
  • Three records were broken this year –
  • 15 & Under 100 Breast Stroke by Alexis Grycko
  • 13-14 Medley Relay by Erik Spraul, Evan Werner, Greg Nymberg, David Spraul
  • 13-14 Free Relay by Greg Nymberg, Chris Gangl, David Spraul, Erik Spraul
  • Each year, the swimmers are given a sheet containing their personal swim times for the year. By keeping the focus on the personal times, the kids feel more gratified and their confidence grows.
  • Chad plans to return next year.
  • So many Evendale swimmers (and sports players) continue on to high school, college, and beyond that commission would like to see a listing created on the website, so the community can continue to follow their accomplishments.
Old Business:
  • Lifestyle Essentials Report
Attendance and usage dipped as usual during the summer as outdoor activities take over.

Director’s Report:
a. Form Budget subcommittee
  • Wayne Mosley, Gus Janszen, John Doviak, and David Nichols
  • Fees remain low, thus allowing children to experience a sport; and maybe develop a passion for sports.
  • Shelter House fee comparison showed New Albany, Ohio charges $10 for 2 hours at their open air shelter. Hamilton County Parks District charge $80-$100 for shelter rentals.
b. Form Operating Schedule subcommittee
  • Pamela Meyers, Stiney Vonderhaar, Alex Mosley, and David Nichols
c. Annual maintenance weekend
  • This weekend, August 22nd and 23rd, the Recreation Center will close at Noon on Saturday then close all day Sunday for cleaning and equipment maintenance. The floors in the fitness will be cleaned then sealed. As the cardio equipment is put back in place, it will be rotated. Patrons seem to have favorite spots to work out; so some machines have more miles than others.
d. Pool Attendance
  • The attendance numbers are down about 20% this year compared to last year. The weather has been good for swim meets; but not for general swimming and not for water aerobics. Several water aerobic classes had to be rescheduled.
e. Capital Expenditures
  • David is planning to replace the bikes and elliptical machines in 2010; then plan on replacing the treadmills in 2011. Hopefully, the supplier will by back the current equipment; otherwise we will see if another Evendale department needs it or place it in the next Village auction.
  • The selector weight machines and plate machines are holding up well. Pads are replaced as needed; while maybe one or two belts have been replaced over the nine year life of the machines.
Phi Lambda Pi Report:
  • The concession stand did well this summer with five home swim meets.
  • The Fresh Meat Competition has begun. As a way of welcoming the new members they are paired with an older member and put through various fun competitions to earn points. The team with the most points at the end receives a $100 VISA gift card for each member. This year brings another large group of eighth graders.
  • Eighth and ninth graders make up approximately 70-80% of the Wednesday night attendance.
  • The 50th Anniversary Celebration was a success. Everyone had a good time at dinner on Saturday night. While the Saturday afternoon pool event was rained out; the Friday golf outing had good weather and was fun. Alex complimented Kim and the committee on creating a Top Notch Event. There was a nice mix from the first president of Phi up to current members. Former members from as far as Texas, South Carolina, and Florida came in town for the event.
  • Myrtle Beach was a great time as usual. Twenty members and four chaperones went.
  • The community is lucky to have someone like Kim running Phi. Commission agreed.
Open Discussion:
  • The summer concert season has gone well; averaging several hundred per concert.
  • Gorman Heritage Farm has added a lot of fencing to the property. The farm is creating pastures so the livestock can rotate fields for better health. However, there are no gates for humans to enter the fields and no designation for where people are allowed to go or not go. David will contact Gorman Farm and investigate. With this fencing project, the leisure trail brochure may no longer valid for Gorman trails. The suggestion was made to invite a representative of Gorman Farm to the next Commission meeting for an update about the farm.
  • Gus Janszen has an upcoming meeting with Neil Bradford to discuss taking our league to small-sided soccer. Small-sided soccer would mean more touches for each child but the expense of new goals could slow the transition for individual communities. David asked Gus to bring the cost data to the budget subcommittee meeting.
  • Bike Leisure Path Update – Michele and Stiney have connected with the Cincinnati Queen City Bike Club, URS, and OKI; and they are going to help form a plan. September 9th or 10th there is a brainstorming meeting. The committee is going to ask Blue Ash to join the group. Wyoming just had a write-up in the paper about their bike trails and the grants used to create the trails. Stiney and the village are taking the lead on this project hoping to connect all the little pockets of bike trails, thus connecting communities too.
  • Gorman Heritage Farm’s Mule Team and wagon, at this time, is planning to participate in our Halloween Fest.
Motion to adjourn made by Wayne Mosley at 9:03am; seconded by Gus Janszen. Motion approved.