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Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting <br />March 7, 2005 <br /> <br /> <br />replied that, though it’s been a few years, he guessed the number at ten or twelve. Mr. Sebring <br />suggested as well that, in the past, Walmart previously helped with the Park by way of an <br />environmental grant and that this might be another avenue to explore. <br /> <br />Rec Center Improvements <br /> <br />Mr. Kelley said that, at the last meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission <br />was looking at an improvement of the Rec Center itself. An outlay of approximately $7 million <br />was suggested for improvements. The Commission thought that, since the School Board was <br />reviewing the possibility of athletic facilities and a middle school, it would be better to table <br />legislation and talk to the School Board by asking its members to come to one of our meetings. <br />Perhaps the Rec Cener and the School Board could get on the same page for the same things. <br />The High School Hockey Team plays here at the Rec Center. The Swim Team is here at the Rec <br />Center. The Baseball Team plays at the Community Park. If the City is going to update facilities <br />for the schools, Mr. Kelley’s opinion was that, possibly, one proposal could take care of <br />everything. Ge asked the members of the School Board what their plans were, remembering that <br />both the Rec Center and the School Board must go back to the voters. If there are two entities <br />vying for something in the middle in this community there will be two losers unless both combine <br />mutual interests. At this point, Mr. Kelley opened the floor for discussion. <br /> <br />Mr. Lasko noted that he sees a variety of different improvements that are proposed for the <br />immediate years but did not see a list of long-term goals or objectives beyond that having a dollar <br />amount with it. However, it will be difficult to understand or determine what The Rec Center and <br />the School Board are coordinating until there is something that is going to be a little more <br />tangible along the lines as what the schools have proposed. For example, indicate the items that <br />the Rec needs done, and their proposed cost. Mr. Lasko’s concern was that, if long-range <br />planning is being considered, and Ms. Wenger is the expert when it comes to planning, it seems to <br />Mr. Lasko that there must be a more detailed list of needs and how and what the needs are. There <br />is willingness on the part of the schools and the City to coordinate efforts so that the taxpayers <br />get the best value. However, there must be a great deal of specificity as to what are the priorities <br />from the city’s side and what are the potential costs of those priorities. That part has already been <br />done on the schools’ side. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelley said that, when the proposal was taken last Rec Commission meeting with the <br />recommendations of the addition to the Rec Center, those plans were ten years old. <br /> <br />Mr. DiSalvo said that, at last month, this matter was a proposal option: what needs to be done in <br />the future. The Rec Center building is 30 years old, and Mr. DiSalvo said that specific lingering <br />isues need to be addressed. The question is whether the School Board and the City can come <br />together. There are mutual facilities that both the schools and the Rec needs to maintain, so the <br />purpose of this meeting is to see if we can finally put a proposal together. Mr. DiSalvo said that <br />he could not give any current specifics because, hopefully, the proposal will be completed <br />together. If not, the Rec Center will carry on and an alternative option will be formulated. It all <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />