Lawrence Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

January 13, 2015

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  

Chair Kevin Loos, Vice Chair LaRisa Chambers, Sue Hack, Joe Caldwell, Andy Clayton

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  

 

 

 

STAFF PRESENT: 

Tim Laurent, Jimmy Gibbs, Mark Hecker, Roger Steinbrock, Jo Ellis, Elliott Johnson, Robert Wages

GUESTS:

Chad Lawhorn, Aundrea Shafer

 

 

I.             Meeting called to order by Chair Loos

 

II.           Approval of December 9, 2015, minutes by Hack, and seconded by Caldwell. 

 

III.         Board Elections – Chair and Vice-Chair

The board unanimously nominated Chambers as Chair and Hack as Vice Chair.  Motion to approve by Loos and seconded by Caldwell.  Motion approved 4-0.

 

IV.         Concerns of Board – An acquaintance of Hack’s approached her regarding a positive experience she had at SPL during basketball free play with her child.  Her child and his friends were utilizing the court when older players came along and took over it.  The parent approached one of our staff members and they immediately resolved the issue.  Chambers shared how much her running group has enjoyed the trails at Rock Chalk Park.  Loos also has had several citizens approach him regarding their positive experiences.  Hack inquired if there are any Downtown maps located at the Sports Pavilion for visitors.  Hecker responded not at this time but that someone will get them and make them available.         

 

V.           Gymnastics Program Report – Jo Ellis

Currently classes are being held at East Lawrence Center for 18 months to preschool age and Sports Pavilion Lawrence for 3 years to competitive team, level 5.  There are about 155 children who participate in those classes that are offered at East Lawrence Center and approximately 300 who participate in classes and teams every month at Sports Pavilion Lawrence.  Open Gym is now being offered also at both locations.  Since October, there have been 1134 attendees to Open Gym, which has brought in $3500 in revenue. A fee of $3 admission is charged at this time, starting in June the fee will increase to $5.  Birthday parties are also available at both locations.  In the past three months, there have been 11 gymnastics parties at ELC and 32 gymnastics parties at SPL with approximately 677 attendees and revenue of $5400.  Ellis said the program is continuing to grow.      

 

VI.         Rock Chalk Park/ Sports Pavilion Lawrence – Operations report

Laurent reported since opening in October, a total of 14,706 key cards have been issued.   The majority of holders are female and the average age key card holders being  40.19 years-old.  There have been 36 tournaments scheduled to date, which exceeds the goal of 30 in a year by 6 tournaments. A report was also shared indicating the zip code where people issued key cards lived and the top holders lived in the 66049 zip-code area, while the 66044 zip-code area was the second highest area where those issued key cards lived.  Parking is becoming problematic as visitors are not utilizing the far Southeast area instead they are parking along the curb.  Laurent indicated a meeting with Public Works is scheduled for Thursday to help resolve the issue.  172 Lockers have been installed in various locations throughout the facility for users to safeguard their belongings.        

 

VII.       Library Plaza Skate Rink report – Opened Nov. 28.

Gibbs reported there have been over 7500 skate rentals since opening weekend.  Starting the week of January 19 the hours will be scaled back to weekends only with the exception of the holiday (Jan. 19) when school is not in session, openning at 1 p.m. The new hours will be in effect until the middle of February.       

 

VIII.     2015 Project Update

Hecker shared a list of projects that were submitted to City Manager, it is a work in progress list prioritized in order by projects funded by the bond resolution that got funded and then by projects in progress funded by grants we’ve received for the trail items.  Working with grants verses city monies first.  The list consist of the top 50 projects, we like to accomplish.  The list continues to change when other issues arise and take precedence.      

 

IX.          Staff reports

                                     i.    Recreation/Golf Revenue/Expense Report – Hecker reported the recreational budget shows a negative number.  It was allocated to utilize the monies from the recreational budget to pay for furniture and other expenses for the Sports Pavilion putting the budget in the hole up to $300,000.  Currently the balance is -$21,000.  Our revenue compensated the difference.  Golf revenue also shows a negative number.  The end of the year was not good due to the weather.                      

  

                                    ii.    Parks/Projects Report – Hecker reviewed the upcoming projects slated for 2015.

 

                                   iii.    Marketing Report – Steinbrock reported enrollment was at an all-time high for the department in 2014.  We are currently 300 enrollments shy of last years’ January enrollment figure with more than half of the month remaining. The current enrollment as of Jan. 12 was 1544 enrollments for the month.  January 2014 there were 1847 enrollments for the month.

 

X.       Other – Interns – Steinbrock introduced two interns who will be working with us in the next few months. Elliott Johnson is from Lawrence and will be completing 180 hours in the Marketing and Special Population divisions.  Robert Wages attended Missouri State University and will be interning with us as a full-time intern for this semester.  

          

 

Meeting adjourned.  Next Advisory Board meeting scheduled for noon, Tuesday, February 10th, 2015, Parks and Recreation Conference Room located at South Park Administration Office.