4/5/2004 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Recreation Commission Meeting April 5, 2004 There are about 350 to 600 kids in years past that came to the North Olmsted facility to skate using the NOHC program. There have been a lot of good people involved with the schedule over the years, making sure the kids get on the ice and the games get played. Over the past three or four years there have been a number of people who have made this Club one of the top organizations in the area. That said, the Club has seen a big decline in the quality of the facility during this time (the ice, the boards - note above list). These are some major concerns that they, as a major hockey club, would like to see addressed by the City. The North Olmsted Hockey Club have about 375 players this year, and of those members, 65-70% are non-residents. Query: how to keep those members that aren't residents of North Olmsted? About fifty percent are residents of the Westlake/Avon/Avon Lake areas. Over the past few years there has been talk of an ice rink being built in a rec facility in the Avon or Avon Lake area. What the NOHC is asking the Rec Commission is to realize the ice is in bad shape, the locker rooms are inadequate to put four teams in the building at one time, the bleachers are falling apart and need to be redone or replaced. There have been many issues over the past several years with the scoreboard not working. The Hockey Club would like the office remodeled as well. Its members would like to go to the City through working with the Commission. Mr. Galippo wanted the Commission's input on whether or not it felt this was a worthwhile cause: he would like the backing of the people involved with the Parks and Recreation Department. As a hockey club, Mr. Galippo knows how difficult it's been to fit the teams in the locker room area and work with poor ice conditions. The boards are shot. Mr. Galippo knew he was repeating himself, but the Hockey Club would like to see some things done as soon as possible. Mr. DiSalvo added that everything Mr. Galippo raised the Commissioner has seen in at least three revisions of master plans dating back to 1997 or '98 - almost identically with the same issues. The Rec Department knows it needs to be done; now it's a matter of what action is to be taken, if any. Mr. Galippo wanted to know if it is worth keeping the Hockey Club at the North Olmsted Recreation Center or, over the next several years, looking at relocating it. He does not want to do that; however, he must make it attractive for his non-resident members. Mr. Kelley asked if what was requested on the Club's list was asked in order of priority. Mr. Galippo responded in the affirmative. Mr. Kelley then asked Mr. Stein, the Maintenance Supervisor, his opinion. Mr. Stein said that the Rec Center needs a cement base, new boards, and a new dasher system, which would cost anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000. There is no place within the structure to place new locker rooms. Mr. Stein created a drawing several years back showing what he thought it would take to upgrade the Rec Center, but that would mean a $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 project. Everything dates from 1975. Back then there weren't as many people playing hockey. Everything needs to be updated. Mr. Jesse asked what was done recently as regards compressors relating to ice-making equipment. Mr. Stein replied that for a long time there have been eight compressors running. The Rec Center can survive on six. For about fifteen years the Complex ran on six - didn't want to spend the money on the other two. It's easier to run eight than six. They should be kept running. The biggest problem is that there is Page 2