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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-06 - Minutes�Itn�H'•M1' FAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes for June 6, 2011 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Jim Meinecke at 5:30 p.m. in Room 111 at the City Administration Building at 113 West Mountain Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Hazelrigs, Waite, Lindsey, Thompson, and Meinecke were present. Watson arrived later. Bailey, Mason, and Meldrum were absent. Staff members Edmonston, Humphry, Jumper, and Thomas were in attendance. AGENDA: 1. Approval of May 2, 2011 PRAB Meeting Minutes: Meinecke said that on item seven, the word paved in his comment should be changed to unpaved. It has been corrected. PRAB Motion: Waite motioned to accept the minutes as written, and Thompson seconded it. Motion passed 5-0-0 by voice vote. 2. Botanical Garden Monthly Report: Michael Lindsey Lindsey said fundraising events have been going on. At one of them, the weather didn't cooperate, and he thought they would be blown away. Some of their events are: a concert on June 29; summer day camps; Red, White, and Bloom; and a photo contest. Everyone is welcome to take pictures at Botanical Gardens and submit them. For more information, go to www.bgozarks.orr 3. Wilson Park Pool Presentation: Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director Edmonston first talked about the aquatic parks that are available in the area. The Prairie Grove aquatic park has two large slides, a zero depth entry, and two kiddie slides. Alma has a main pool with a deep end, a kiddie pool, six slides and pavilions. Siloam Springs has a main 1 pool, baby pool, and slides. Springdale has two drop slides and two swirl slides. She then gave a history of the Wilson Pool. The first swim area was Trent Pond, named after Al Trent. Wilson Pool was created in 1940. The pool changing rooms and restrooms were built in the 1960's. There was a major renovation in 1983, and another renovation in 1997, as well as 1999. A structural analysis done in 2010 found the basic pool structure in good shape. There are repairs that need to be done, such as repairing cracks, removing the surface texture, repairing the box culvert, and improving the electrical system. In January 2011, the Parks staff met with Larkin Aquatics. The Corps of Engineers said that building a new pool in the footprint of the old one would be an easier permit process. Making major changes would be a much harder process. The cost to build a new pool is around two million dollars. That cost does not include the bathhouse. The Parks staff has recommended that the pool be updated. She asked PRAB what their thoughts were on updating the pool. Waite said that it's time. Meinecke asked with the deficits, would there be a profit? Edmonston said that most cities lose money on pools. Hazelrigs asked if there was a shortage of pool space in the area. Edmonston said that an analysis could be done. Maybe someday Fayetteville could have an aquatic park. Lindsey wanted to know where the money would come from. Edmonston said she didn't know, but she wished she did. Meinecke said it's time to do something. Jumper said that if the pool renovation doesn't stay within the footprint, it would be harder. Lindsey asked how much it would cost to match what Springdale has. Meinecke said there would be the cost of possibly moving the pool to another area. Thompson commented that it would be difficult to close the Wilson pool. 2 Hazelrigs suggested that the Wilson pool could be kept, while looking for another location for a new pool. Maybe Wilson could be used for lap swimming. Thompson said that the Larkin plan didn't plan much for lap swimming. Meinecke said that eventually Fayetteville will want an aquatic park. Maybe it could be located at Regional Park. Edmonston said a concept plan was in progress, and will be brought to PRAB possibly in July. Meinecke asked if it would be at Regional Park. Edmonston said that it might be. Watson said that the parking is maxed out at Wilson. Lindsey said Rogers is going to build an aquatic park. Meinecke suggested that the overhaul be done at Wilson, and Parks can look to the future for the aquatic park. Watson agreed. He suggested that Parks do the overhaul, and see how Regional Park pans out. The pool could be revisited in the next five years or so. Waite said that if Fayetteville has only a pool, it will constantly be compared to the surrounding areas and their aquatic parks. Watson again said that the renovations should be done at the Wilson pool, and put the aquatic park in another location. Edmonston said the HMR taxes are approximately 2.5 million per year, but most of that is going toward maintenance. The 1997 renovation was a band aid approach for the pool. Right now there are lots of complaints about the bathhouse. People say it's smelly, and has mold. The air infiltration isn't good. The pool is structurally sound right now. Thompson said the proposed prices by Larkin are just a survey. Those prices could change once the renovation begins. Waite cautioned to not write off the proposed plan. c Watson said Wilson Park isn't a good site for the aquatic center. He said he didn't want to lose the pool. Edmonston asked if PRAB wanted to totally redo the pool. Meinecke said it would be best to wait and see what the City Council says. He also said the future of the pool needs to be considered. 4. Summer Program Update: Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director Edmonston said the summer concert lineup is: Patricia Vonne on May 26, Tiffany Christopher on June 9, Waylon Pierce appearing on June 23, Casual Flyze and the Earth on July 14, Tim Brantley on July 28, and Uncrowned Kings on August 11. The Dive In movies begin on June 10 and they are free. The fire fighters paid for this program series. A panel of parents helped choose the movies. Also available for the summer are swim lessons, summer camps, and at the YRCC- Summer Fun4Kids, wrestling and Kid Crops. S. CIP Update: Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent Jumper said the Wilson Park Trail renovation is almost wrapped up. The Sweetbriar Niokaska Stream restoration is getting close to completion. Plans are being prepared for the Red Oak pavilion. The Northshore playground improvement project will go to the Council tomorrow. One of the improvements at that park will be an ADA accessible swing. The large pavilion at Bryce Davis is complete with the exception of the trees. The 2011 tree escrow planting is ongoing. Humphry said that the soccer field project is about two weeks behind because of all the flooding. He hopes that the sod can be laid by the third week in June. The Lake Sequoyah boat dock demolition project went out for bid. Meridian Construction won the bid at $26,890. A courtesy boat dock will be installed at a later date. 6. Regional Park Update: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director ADEQ has approved the construction drawings for the remediation, but there is no start date yet. A sign will be put up off Cato Springs Rd to announce the future park. 7. Other Business: 11 Edmonston said budget season is starting. If anyone sees things that need to be done, please let her know so it can be considered. S. Adjournment: Watson motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Waite seconded it. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm. Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas 5