4/7/2008 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Minutes of a Meeting of the North Olmsted Parks and Recreation Commission April 7, 2008 Murphy belongs there; Mr. Dailey’s secretary belongs there. It is less expensive than Gold’s Gym. Mr. Garrity asked if there would be any alternate plans if this Plan doesn’t pass. Mr. Dailey said there would be no alternate plan put forward by the Administration at this point in time. It is the City’s belief that this is the way to go, and they are going to work hard to see that it passes in November. After that, the Administration has no alternate plan; however, City Council could elect to do something after that. If it does fail, we will continue to do what we’ve always done, and that would be it. Mr. Garrity said is there any idea towards renting one of the empty storefronts to outfit a fitness center? It seems that is the big push – for some type of fitness center. Mr. Dailey said that might be something the Y might want to do if the Plan doesn’t pass. The City of Parma has a recreation facility on Ridge Road but also has what’s called the Y Express inside the Parmatown Mall. Who knows, maybe the Y might look to do something like that in North Olmsted. Mr. Groden asked how much the North Olmsted Schools were consulted in this Plan, or was it the Administration’s Plan telling the schools what they are going to do. Mr. Dailey said they had met with the Schools early on, but they were there pretty much as a user group, such as Hot Stove and hockey representation. We did meet with the schools at another point in time – they had inquired about a fitness center at North Olmsted High School, which would have been good for the school kids, but difficult for the community. Avon Lake has done something similar, as does Bay Village. They have some sort of fitness facilities attached to their schools open to the public during restricted hours. Logistically, it did not make a lot of sense for North Olmsted. Other than that, that would have been the extent of the conversations with North Olmsted City Schools, except perhaps partnering up somewhere down the road to make improvements to the North Olmsted Football Field by putting in artificial turf that could be used year-round; many games on a weekend by both Parks, Programs, and North Olmsted Schools Programs. Ms. Nader said that if you’re negotiating with the Y you could negotiate some free tennis time for the Schools. Mr. Dailey said that again, if we would make it work, we’d have to make some agreements with the YMCA, and it’s their business; we’re not going to tell them how to run their business. Mr. Scarl said the Y is not a service entity; they are in the business to make money. Mr. Dailey said this is correct. Mr. Scarl said their prices are ridiculous. Mr. Dailey said one thing we found out through the Plain Dealer a few weeks back was that talked about the financial difficulties of Northeast Ohio. Ironically enough, they talked about the one couple who received a scholarship so they could continue their Y membership. So they are very generous in doing that. Mr. Dailey said that he mentioned that to the Y people that there is a growing segment of the North Olmsted community who are going to need help, and that perhaps they might be prepared to offer those types of scholarships to North Olmsted residents as well. Being non-profit, they are willing to work with a lot of people to make it affordable. Mr. Scarl said that Mr. Dailey was in the office every day and saw what comes through the door – you can’t keep the people fed in this City let alone worry about Rec facilities getting solved. Mr. Groden asked if the presentation was just about the Rec Center, or if it included the Parks. Mr. Dailey said it will be talking about expanding Barton/Bradley, increase parking, taking North Olmsted Park and removing ball fields on top of the hill for more green space. When this building is demolished in 2011, we would look to construct a cloverleaf of permanent baseball fields behind here Page 9