HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 080988CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
• PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY CENTER
4404 BURNS ROAD
MAILING ADDRESS: 10500 N. MILITARY TRAIL
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33410
627 -2558
RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD
August 9, 1988
The City of Palm Beach Gardens Parks and Recreation Department
Advisory Board met on Tuesday, August 9, 1988 in the Community
Center. Chairman Chuck Campbell called the meeting to order
at 7:10 p.m. In attentence were former members Betsey Yerry,
Art Kaminski, Ellen Finnerty and Chairman Campbell. New members
Alan Shisgal, Jeff Sabin, Lynne Bundick were introduced and
well as alternate member Al McKenna. Also in attendence was
Parks and Recreation Director, Doug Hood. Absent was alternate
member, Charles Goforth and City Council member, Dick Feeney.
Chairman Chuck Campbell described the purpose and functions
of the Advisory Board. Director Doug Hood gave his background
and the history of the Parks and Recreation Department in
Palm Beach Gardens. He stated that once again Palm Beach
Gardens Parks and Recreation Department is a finalist for
the Gold Metal award, a prize for the top recreation depart-
ment in the country. He explained how the Advisory Board
is a strong part of the Parks and Recreation Department and
is involved in key issues and expansion. He also explained
how the parks are maintained under the supervision of Parks
Superintendent Dick Cameron through the Public Works Depart-
ment. An information pamphlet about the department parks,
facilities, and events was passed out and location, equip-
ment, size and history of each facility was given.
Director Hood stated the Advisory Board needs to be aware
of some of the needs of the department, problems with future
growth of the community and the need to procure land for ex-
pansion. There was a discussion of property owned by Foun-
dation Land at Lake Catherine and behind the Klock Company.
The ballfields and facilities at Lake Catherine are in dis-
repair but the City has been reluctant to put funds in an
area that is not city property.
The present Community Center, its history, and the fact that
its reached its capacity was discussed. The summer program
registration problems and the fact that residents had to spend
the night to enroll their children because of the limited
space was a happening the department wants to correct. There
are no non - residents in the program and approximately 350
"QUALITY LEISURE SL•R"CES ... JUST FOR } "OU"
children in the community were turned away because of lack
of facilities. Doug Hood stated he will bring in. portables
before turning away residents from participating in a summer
program in the future.
The recent annexation of additional areas to Palm Beach Gardens
has not effected the recreation program. However, additional
proposed annexation could raise the population in the future
and that is what the city must plan. One of the most impor-
tant areas of concern is the purchase of land for recreation
sites. Another consideration of accelerated population growth
is the opening of the Gardens Mall this fall.
There was a discussion of having a city -wide survey to obtain
imput from residents on the future wants and needs of the
community. Doug Hood presented a blueprint drawn by Burg
and DiVosta showing a plan to expand the present Community
Center to meet the immediate needs of the Parks and Recreation
Department. This plan would add an additional 7,670 sq.
ft. to the present 25,000 sq. ft. Funds for this addition
could partially come from a land fee account if the city
council agrees. The blueprint showed a two story addition
that would add meeting rooms, gymnastics /aerobics room, pre-
school program room, and new offices making the present
offices into class rooms. This was a preliminary drawing
• and there would be a study and consideration of .cost before
a final plan was presented to the council. An estimate of
$85.00 per sq. ft. was also a preliminary figure.
An addition of a lap pool was also discussed. The Municipal
Swimming Pool has been crowded the whole summer with private
swim lessons and swim team practice taking most of the avail-
able space. A shallow lap pool would give adults an area
away from the main pool and alleviate some of the over crowding.
After a discussion of having Doug Hood request that the Advisory
Board be put on an agenda for a future City Council meeting
to present a letter of recommendations for the Parks and
Recreation Department, it was decided the Board should meet
once more to draft a letter and meet with the Council at
a Workshop Meeting so questions could be asked, ideas discussed,
and there would be more time to develop a feasible plan for
expansion. Art Kaminski made a motion to have a joint meeting
with the City Council. Betsey Yerry seconded the motion.
The motion was unanimously passed. The Advisory Board members
will be informed by phone when the next meeting will be held.
Other areas of the Parks and Recreation program were discussed
including the Youth Athletic Association, a city golf course,
a tennis complex, city library, and a large covered pavillion.
• Jeff Sabin asked if the Board members could obtain city maps
to have for reference and planning. Lynne Bundick will be
responsible for obtaining these mapsfrom Resource Planning
Engineering.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 :20 p.m.