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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.