RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
September 24, 2014
Frank Chester Recreation Center
1:00 P.M.
Members Present: Bob Johnson, Irene Pate, Carl Brown, Willie Dickerson,
Mike Peacock, Tracy Belt, Derrick Greene, Andre Dye
Members Absent: Jennifer Collins
City Staff Present: James Worsley, Teresa Snellings, Tommy Groce, Millie Del
Toro,
Shelley Stephens, Becky Glisson, Troy Lucas (USA Pools)
Call to Order: Irene called the meeting to order at 1:09 pm by greeting
and welcoming the board.
Roll was taken.
Tim Marshall, Director of Franck Chester Recreation Center welcomed the group
and talked of events at his center. He will be happy to give a tour to anyone
interested.
Carl Brown made the motion to pass approval of the minutes of the August
meeting. This was seconded by Mike Peacock and a unanimous vote was held to
approve the minutes.
Director/Staff Update
James: New member Vanessa Jackson has been added to the board and will be
invited to next meeting. She will not be able to vote until sworn in but she
can attend the meetings.
Troy Lucas (USA Pools): Thanks to the Board for having him at the meeting. He
just came here from the mid-west and believes that the Columbus Aquatic Center
is a beautiful facility and is excited about the future of it. If anyone has
any suggestions, feel free to let him know.
He wants to do some sort of community outreach with concentrated interest
groups who can use the meeting room at the pool. They gave over 800+ swim
lessons during the year. He recently met with the Red Cross and they want to
use the facility to make us a catalyst for other things to come. They have
several programs upcoming such as Swim Babies, Water Babies, Aqua Zumba and
Water Walking Programs. There are two dive-in movies in October.
Bob Johnson inquired if there was any kind of schedule of day classes. Troy
explained that he is working on that and will get back with us.
Irene Pate inquired if they still have their Facebook page and Troy assured her
that they do and will continue to update it. Irene also inquired as to dive
lessons and Troy explained that due to time constraints they do not have it
right now but will look at bringing it back in the future.
Tommy Groce (Park Services): We are pretty busy this time of year as we have
the following coming up:
Adult Baseball at Golden Park
Adult Softball at South Commons
High School Football ? We have Thursday and Friday games this week
Battle of the Bands
Two football games next weekend also
Tuskegee v. Morehouse games
WSL Tournament this weekend
Columbus Youth Football and RiverCity Football Games this week
Fall Little League
Dixie Program at Psalmond Road
Becky Glisson (Administration): Members were invited to the GRPA Third
District Banquet on October 1st at 6:00 pm. This will be at the Trade Center.
We have not heard back from anyone concerning their RSVP.
Irene Pate, Tracy Belt, Carl Brown and Derrick Greene all confirmed that they
will be attending. James informed them that if anyone needs to add their name,
they need to do so by 5:00 tomorrow.
Teresa Snellings (Recreation): The centers are making their plans for Fall
Festivals. Help the Hooch is October 3rd & 4th and we are involved in that one
and will also have a booth set up. Pottery is working on some display pieces
that will be used.
In the Senior Section, we applied for the RSVP grant again this year.
Everything seems to be okay with that.
Just an FYI that all centers will be closed October 6-12 for floor stripping.
We do this each year.
Hopefully you saw in the Friday Letter where we received donated art work that
was passed down from the Mayor?s Office. Lisa Castile and staff did a good job
hanging this work. If you get a chance, go by Britt David and take a look.
During the floor stripping, all seniors will be out of town to the National
Fair. This trip will also include participants from Therapeutics.
We finally have a cook at South Columbus Senior Center. He is ex military and
can cook really well. Finally!
Millie Del Toro (Community Schools): We have partnered with MCSD to do and
Reading and Wonders training. This will be at Eagle Ridge, Blanchard, Midland,
Johnson and Forrest Road.
In November we will be partnering with Keep Columbus Beautiful for a Magic
Recycling Program that will include Gentian and South Columbus Schools.
Shelley Tippens (Community Schools): The After School Program is also helping
Keep Columbus Beautiful by helping with Help the Hooch. The children will be
picking up trash at their school sites.
We are also partnering with the Columbus Fair and will have a kids booth set up.
James Worsley: (Director): The Senior Leadership Team will be traveling to
Charlotte, NC the second week in October. This is where we will receive our
award for National Accreditation.
On October 18, 2014, the Rotary Club will be doing the donated improvements to
Rotary Park. We will start at 8:00 am and will be all day. They will be doing
grills, signs and just an update. This will be a $10,000 project.
Midtown Columbus is donating a 9 hole golf course at Dinglewood Park which is
on 13th.
Updates from the Board:
Willie Dickerson: He has spoken with officers and encouraged them to patrol
Shirley Winston Park. There is a need for more security. He had a parent that
was upset with a situation out there but they were please with the response.
Andre Dye: He met with Tim Marshall about youth basketball. Andre used to be
the Sports Coordinator for Community Schools and held a league in that program
where one school played another. He would like the department to look into
doing that again.
Compliment to Tommy Groce on the fields and courts at Benning Park being kept
up so good.
Mike Peacock: Youth football has cranked up. The buildings at Northern Little
League have been approved and should be going up in the near future. This will
help with recruitment issues also in that people may be more inclined to
volunteer with these buildings. The league is looking at different ways to
cover the bleachers.
Conversation with James and Tommy as to pot hole not being fixed at Psalmond
Road. Tommy has turned in three work orders concerning this.
Derrick Greene: At Memorial Stadium the DJ?s had a problem with power and had
to use extension cords. Wires are hanging out of the box. Tommy explained
that this was not a power box that they were using but a box to the
scoreboard. Tommy thinks the problem has been resolved but will check on it.
Carl Brown: Wants to thank Tommy for the lights at Lakebottom. All have been
fixed.
Discussion was held about parking situation at both Psalmond Road Park and
Lakebottom Park.
Tommy Groce (Park Services): They have just completed the lights at Double
Churches Tennis Courts.
Tracy Belt: Inquiring as to whether any improvements can be done to Theo McGee
Park. Says that there is nothing for children in that area to do besides that
basketball court and park. James explained about Master Plan and how all parks
were addressed in that. However, there is not funding at this time to improve
any parks. He encouraged that group to try to find public-private partnerships
to maybe help with that park.
Irente Pate: Britt David is gearing up for the Empty Bowl event that is
usually held in March. They also still have classes available. They are doing
a digital photo class out there now.
Paint the Shed was an event that was held on Labor Day. Participants had the
opportunity to paint on the buildings that were over 10 years old. If you get a
chance, you should go by and look at it.
Andre said that he will not be able to attend the GRPA District Banquet.
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Carl Brown and seconded by
Tracy Belt to adjourn the meeting.
Our next meeting will be October 22nd at Boxwood Recreation Center.
Meeting Adjourned 1:16 pm.
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