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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Board Minutes Feb_5_2025 FINALMINUTES West University Place Parks and Recreation Board (PRB) Meeting Wednesday, February 5, 2025 ______________________________________________________________________________ Location: West University Place City Hall conference room Chair: Stephanie Magers Secretary: Richard Cunningham Board members present: Sarah Barrett, Rebecca (Beck) Brownlie, Richard Cunningham, Stephen Damiani, Maryann Grahmann, Lauren Griffith, Laura (Lulu) Lopez, Stephanie Magers, and Arlene Wells Board members absent: Ryan Firth and Sami Morrison Staff: Susan White Council members: (none) Visitors: (Remote by video or audio) Brittany Bakes, Ron Gailey, and Ryan Young. In person: Justine Markowski. Call to Order: Stephanie Magers called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. No citizen comments. Approval of the minutes from the January 8, 2025 PRB meeting: Richard Cunningham motioned for approval. Arlene Wells seconded. Unanimous approval. Recreation Center and Pickleball / Tennis Survey: Ron Gailey and Ryan Young (by video), and Brittany Bakes (audio only). Ron used PowerPoint slides to illustrate points about the survey his team is conducting to review potential improvement to the Recreation Center and to gauge West U residents’ sentiments and priorities about tennis and pickleball courts. Residents will receive a link via email take the survey online. Signs with QR codes for residents to take the survey will also be posted at the parks and near City buildings. Potential changes to the Rec Center include an indoor playground, an expanded fitness area for cardio equipment and weights, and a multi-use space for pickleball, fitness programs and other uses. The survey will also gather data about the frequency of use, the number of non-users, how to increase use of the facility, membership status, reasons for using the center, and the amenities that people like most. The survey will include room at the end for additional comments. The final section of the survey covers potential improvements, such as a mobile app for making reservations. The survey will present options for use and configuration of the tennis and pickleball courts. Several board members offered suggestions to make the survey even more comprehensive and user-friendly. Recreation Update, PGAL: Justine Markowski, senior associate at the architecture firm, PGAL, presented several scenarios for updates to the Recreation Center. (This work is being done in conjunction with the survey being conducted by Ron Gailey’s team.) Justine’s slides included images and details of potential locations for an indoor playground. Several board members asked questions about how the playground would be used and how to ensure security and safety. Justine and Susan explained the types of equipment that could be included. One option is to convert the two racquetball / squash courts into playground space. One question is whether the wall between them is load bearing. If it is, that would add to the cost. Board members pointed out, however, that the rear of the Rec Center where the racquetball courts are is not the ideal location for an indoor playground. Other options were explored as well at the front of the Rec Center. Susan added that changes to the Rec Center may be done in stages rather than all at once. Justine and Susan offered details about the types of new equipment that might be added when the cardio / weight room is remodeled. Brittany (remote on audio only) added that the present number of elliptical and stair-step machines is adequate based on usage. Senior Center and Library Update, PGAL: Justine continued with slides showing plans for the proposed new Library and the Senior/Community Center. Board members offered their opinions and suggestions. Susan pointed out that some of the Community Center changes would encourage additional rental opportunities, bringing additional revenue for the facility. Board members asked about funding for the Facilities Master Plan. General discussion followed but no recommendations or action items were proposed. Friends Overview: Stephanie Magers (filling in for Sami Morrison) noted that 686 people have tickets for the Park Lovers’ Ball. That is considered “sold out.” Bidding for the silent auction opens tonight. There are also items to buy (as donations to the parks) such as new chairs at the west end Colonial Park. Susan reported that Friends has approved up to $82,000 worth of lighting and other improvements to the west end of Colonial Park. She added that there will be a lighting assessment for the entire park. Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White noted that the West U At Your Leisure Activity Guide is being redesigned and rebranded. One possible new name is Play West U. It will cover recreation for all ages and incorporate the Senior Guide, which is currently called “Hi Neighbor.” Other changes: News channels will be taken off the large televisions in the weight / cardio room, but people can still put the news on their personal screens. Neutral channels like sports and cooking will be shown instead. Look for the 2024 Year in Review, highlighting accomplishments in 2024. Mayor Sample also mentioned many of these in her recent State of the City address. The Recreation Center Trail Project (the quarter-mile walking and running path around the athletic fields) is almost complete. The back portion remains to be finished due to a recently discovered water leak. The trail will be completed as soon as the leak is repaired. The new trail looks great. There will be a ribbon cutting event for the new trail at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 17 in honor of the Marvin Family. There has been a suggestion to plant trees around the new trail. Susan’s team is working with Tri-Sports to explore possibilities. Susan will update the board as she has more information. Final cost of the track is still being determined. Estimate is around $15,000. Park Ambassador Reports: Colonial Park West playground and decks – Lauren Griffith (no comments) Edloe Street Pathway – Richard Cunningham: no issues to report. It’s nice to see how many people use the pathway. Huffington Park – Ryan Firth (not present but sent notes) Ryan had been approached by a tennis instructor regarding a potential waiver. Ryan recommends against it. Friends Park – Sami Morrison (not present) Judson Park – Stephanie Magers (no comments) Recreation Center – Rebecca Brownlie (no comments) Colonial Park East – Maryann Grahmann (no comments) Colonial Park Pool –Stephen Damiani (no comments) Wier Park – Lulu Lopez, comments about the good state and effectiveness about the shade feature over a portion of the playground. Jennie Hughes Park – Sarah Barrett (no comments) Whitt Johnson Park – Arlene Wells (no comments) Old Business: Holiday display (accommodation for various religions for outdoor displays) is on hold for now. This will be a City Council decision rather than a PRB decision. New Business: The next PRB meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in the conference room at City Hall. Adjourned: By unanimous consent at 8:44 p.m.