HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-07 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes •
Parks &Recreation Advisory Committee
Minutes of March 7,2005
Directors' Reaort
The City Council has agreed to open Dakin Pool this summer and to allow
the citizens group to raise funds to refurbish the bathhouse. The City Council also
felt that a fee should be charged for pool users.
The committee endorsed staffs' recommendation to charge resident youth 16
and under$.50 and resident adults 17 and over$1.00,non-resident youth 16 and
under$1.00 and non-resident adults $2.00.
The committee also recommended that Pancoe Pool passes be honored at
Dakin Pool.
: The committee members present felt that if attendance does not improve
significantly this summer taxpayer dollars should not be used to refurbish the
bathhouse and the pool should be closed.
The Director distributed a summary of findings from the Needs Assessment
and Design Committee for the Multi-Field Athletic Compleg. Although several
agencies outside Bangor egpressed interest in using such a facility on an occasional
basis,they had no interest on a regular basis. The committee concluded that it's
more than likely such a project will have to be accomplished by organizations within
the City of Bangor.
The operating budget for such a complex will be about$100,000 a year plus
$50,000 for depreciation for the replacement of the turf fields and equipment. Fees
should range from$50 an hour for the grass fields and$125 an hour for the turf
fields.
The majority of the committee felt that the only financially feasible way to
complete the project is to do it in phases. It is recommended that Phase I be two
grass fields and one turf field with adequate parking and restrooms. It makes good
economic sense to have all fields at one location with the airport property off Union
St.the most promising site. There is ample land on the site and recreation is an
accepted use for the land.
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A second sub committee studying the funding issue is nearing completion of
• their work and the two committees will meet to compose a final report for the City
Council in the near future.
The Director distributed a summary of the FY-06 budget. Operating costs
are up 7.4% while revenues are up 15.4% resulting in a 3.8% budget increase.
Frank will meet with his division head tomorrow to attempt to cut about$11,000
from the budget to keep the increase at 2.5% as directed 6y the City Manager. The
major reasons for the increase are health insurance,cost of living increases,lugher
oil prices and hazardous waste disposal.
The Municipal Golf Course Budget overall is down 1.3%. Play actually
increased by over 1000 rounds to over 35,000 rounds last summer. Frank hopes
that we will continue to see increased play in the next few years. He would like to
see about 40,000 rounds of play a year.
The committee also reviewed the capital request for Parks and Recreation
and the Golf Course. The most notable request being the replacement of the Golf
Course Maintenance Building at an estimated cost of$600,000. Funds for the
project will come from the golf course reserve account. The new building will
replace the ea�isting structure that is sub standard and very small. The old house,
which is used for storage and houses the irrigation system computer,will also be
removed.
� Program Report
A total of 72 youngsters participated in ski and snowboarding lessons at
Hermon Mountain tlus year.
The Father/Daughter Dance was a huge success once again this year with 750
in attendance.
Several Open Gyms are offered at the Recreation Center. Sunday afternoons
is Family Time. Monday evenings is Adult Volleyball and Tuesday evenings is
Adult Basketball. Pre School Open Gym is offered weekday mornings.
Youth Bowling at Family Fun Lanes for youth in grades K through 5 began
this week and will continue for six weeks.
Registrations are being accepted for the 39th Annual Kenduskeag Stream
Canoe Race on Apri116th.
On Saturday,March 26th the department will host an Easter Egg Hunt for
children pre school age through Grade 1.
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The summer brochure should be ready for distribution prior to the April
. school vacation.
Sawver Arena Update
The Arena enjoyed a good year although rentals are down slightly. This is
due primarily because area towns have combined teams into area travel teams
resulting in fewer teams.
Bangor Youth Hockey is hosting their annual Friendship Tournaments with
the final one set for this weekend. The Arena will close for the season March 2pth.
The skate machine has been great for business. The skate shop has made
over$12,000 this year.
Bangor and John Bapst High Schools practice and play their home games at
the Arena while Foxcroft Academy plays their home games there. Bangor Youth
Hockey is the largest user of ice time. Public Skating has been well attended this
year.
The Learn to Skate program went very well this year with a total of 67
participants between the two sessions.
� Current hourly rental rates are$180 for prime time and$140 for early
morning time. Next year the rates are budgeted to be increased by$10 an hour.
Meeting adjourned at S:OOP.M.
Next meeting will be Monday,Apri14;2005 at 4:OOP.M.
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