4/7/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Recreation Commission Meeting April 7, 2003 Mr. Gareau suggested the Rec Commission return to the original list of projects and decide what it wants to do with the money. Mr. Baxter noted that the basketball courts have always been in pitiful shape. The courts have never been fixed. He further noted that it's an excellent idea to redo the courts because they would appeal to a specific group of people. They may not be horseshoe players or softball players, but they're entitled to something nice as basketball players. The parking is available. It's simply a great idea. Mr. DiSalvo said that everything with the basketball courts could and would become virtually brand new. Mr. Gareau said the Commis- sion might try a further review of the Engineering data, with tennis and basketball being the two bigger projects. The City was picking the one and going with one or two smaller ideas. Now that tennis doesn't appear to be feasible because of the soil, it should be basketball. Since there is not one functioning basketball court in the City of North Olmsted, Mr. Jesse made a Motion to solicit for bids to refurbish the North Olmsted basketball courts in conformance with prior Ordinance, seconded by Ms. Jones. Ms. Hayes opened the floor for further discussion. Mr. Baxter asked if there would be any consideration for lighting the basketball courts. Ms. Hayes said she did not believe there was enough money for that idea. Mr. Gareau said that the problem would come in when adjacent property owners complained about the lighting and noise into the night. Mr. DiSalvo stated he would look at lighting prices for information purposes. After this discussion, roll was taken; Mr. Jesse's Motion for said bids passed. Conversation then began among the Members about the condition of the area around the courts. Mr. Baxter observed that it's a mud pit now. The area must be leveled and seeded. Mr. DiSalvo said he spoke with Dave Wendell in the Service Department, and it is his recollection that the st project would begin after May 1. Mr. DiSalvo then spoke of Special Children First ("SCF"). The following are excerpts from a letter to Ms. Janet Narten, Executive Director of Foundation Management, Inc., from Colette Adams, Trustee and Parent Advocate for SCF: ? "Special Children First's mission is: 'to provide a safe, educational, and socially beneficial environment in which children with special needs can work together with their peers to learn the skills and tools they need to develop their potential.' ? There are over 600 children with disabilities in the North Olmsted School District alone. This fact, combined with the referrals made by agencies cited above, brought the North Olmsted School District and the City of North Olmsted and Special Children First together. ? The Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is the fourth valued partner of this partnership. In addition to referring clients, the County Board has made a verbal commitment of $10,000 towards this year's summer day camp. The Board, like their staff, is convinced that Special Children First's summer camp plans include adequate educational opportunities that will benefit children's needs to retain what has been learned during the school year in special education classes. Page 2