HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 06-01-1995Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
June 1, 1995
Page 19
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Bildsoe, Fiemann, Johnson, Priebe, Wahl and
Willegalle; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson; Classic Lake Aquatics representatives
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the June meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Bildsoe and seconded by Commissioner Wahl to
approve the minutes of the meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff Mary announced that beaches opened for the Memorial Day weekend, however,
due to the rain and cool temperatures, guards were not on duty until Monday when the
weather improved. Although the water temperature is still quite chilly, several people did
go swimming. Mary stated that summer programs are about to begin, with many
programs seeing an increase in enrollment, while others are down. T -ball, and
instructional ball enrollment is up 200 participants over last summer. Staff is working on
the `96 recreation budget, as well as planning for fall programming.
c. Others. See item 5 a.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Hennepin Parks received authorization from the Plymouth City Council to condemn railroad
right of way from CNW Railroad for the extension of the Luce Line trail from 494 to
Highway 169. Also approved was a joint effort between the City and Hennepin Parks to
conduct a feasibility report on the establishment of a trail from West Medicine Lake Drive
around the south end of the lake and up the east shore to French Regional Park.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Private swimming pool update by Classic Lake Aquatics (CLA). Classic Lake Aquatics
appeared before the Commission for the second time with the findings of their feasibility
study conducted by students from the College of St. Thomas. Tom Franke, of CLA,
reviewed for the Commission some of the information they presented at the meeting they
attended last November. They repeated their request that the City donate the land for the
aquatics facility and stated that they had honored the City's request to conduct a
feasibility study. Mr. Franke explained that the mission of CLA was to: 1) promote the
benefits of swimming for all people, 2) meet the needs of the surrounding community and
3) locate an aquatics facility in Plymouth or a northwest suburb.
The project itself consists of 1) a 15 x 25 yard zero depth recreational pool which could
also contain a water slide, 2) a 15 x 25 yard lesson and exercise pool, 3) a 50 meter, 8-
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Page 20
lane competitive pool, 4) locker rooms, 5) an exercise area, and 6) a senior citizens
center. Mr. Franke explained that he had visited with seniors living at Towne Square and
had received enthusiastic comments from them regarding the possibility of such a facility
being so close to them. They were particularly excited about the prospect of having a
large meeting room with kitchen facilities and the recreational pool.
Teri Erhardt of CLA then explained the research objectives of the demand study which
had been conducted by the St. Thomas students. The objectives were: 1) determine the
demand for an aquatics center, and 2) determine if revenues would be sufficient to
support the expenses. She explained that the questionnaire was designed to determine the
demographic profile of the residents, the interest level of the residents in an aquatics
center, the interest for additional services and the amount residents would be willing to
pay for such a facility. The questionnaire was sent to 1,500 households, and about 375
responded (or 25%). Of those responding, 55% indicated some interest in such a facility.
Eighty one percent of those had children. The questionnaire asked what activities
residents would participate in if such a facility were built. Eighty-one percent said they
would use it for recreational swimming, 44% said they would use it for water exercise,
15% would use it for lap swimming, 8% would rent the facility, and 6% said they would
use it for competitive swimming. Another question asked what additional amenities
people desired. Eighty-five percent said exercise equipment, 85% said therapeutic pool,
82% said workout room, 78% said lap swimming, 76% said concessions, 74% said
waterslide, and 54% said retail. The questionnaire asked how much people would be
willing to pay to use an aquatics center. 18% would be willing to pay $30 per month, 5%
would pay $25, 25% would pay $20, 34% would pay $15 and 18% would pay a fee less
than $15. Teri concluded her remarks by saying that the target market of the feasibility
study was households with children, that the respondents' highest interest was in family
type recreational activities with swimming coming out on top, and that the location of
such a facility was very important to them.
Doug Gerrick of CLA then made the presentation on the finances. They have estimated
the following annual expenses:
Equivalent of 11 fiill-time employees 748,200
Utilities 175,000
Chemicals 30,000
Supplies 65,000
Maintenance 3 0, 000
Marketing 25,000
Liability 3 0, 000
Refiise 10,000
Reserves 20,000
TOTAL 1,133,200
They estimate the following annual revenues:
Annual memberships (3,000 @ $180 ea.) $540,000
Daily use passes $200,000
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Seasonal/Corporate passes 150,000
Lesson fees 200,000
Rental fees 200,000
Concessions/Advertising 150,000
TOTAL 1,305,000
When asked how they arrived at a figure of $200,000 for swimming lessons, Mr. Gerrick
was not able to provide a precise answer. He explained that the figure was based on a
number of different scenarios, such as different types of lessons costing different
amounts, etc. He did state that usually a session consists of 10 lessons and should cost
approximately $30. He also indicated that the pool would have to be programmed all day
long every day in order to bring in that amount. Commissioners asked Mr. Gerrick if it
was possible to keep the pool going at that pace year after year. Mr. Gerrick was sure that
it would be.
Mr. Franke then explained just what the facility would incorporate as they have it
designed. He stated that it would contain three separate bodies of water, and could also
house a senior center, community room, and kitchen. They have received a bid from a
well-known company, PCL Constriction, for $5,500,000. Mr. Franke said this was on
the high end and would likely cost less if other bids were considered. Commissioner
Bildsoe asked CLA where they intended to get the $5,500,000 to build the facility. Mr.
Franke explained that they were not able to solicit funds until they completed the
feasibility study showing the anticipated revenues. Now that they have that information,
they intend to seek fiinding from a variety of sources, such as private corporations, health
agencies, individual contributions, etc.
CLA concluded their presentation by repeating their request that the City donate the land
for the aquatics facility somewhere near Plymouth Boulevard and 37th Avenue, and
support them in their efforts to gain approval from the City Council.
Commission members had a few comments and questions following CLA's presentation.
Commissioner Johnson wondered if any interest payments were reflected in the expenses
projections? CLA said no. He also wondered about the facility being open 365 days a
year. CLA said that it would probably be closed around five days out of the year for
various reasons. Commissioner Priebe was concerned about the popularity of an indoor
pool in the summer months. CLA responded that people seem to prefer to be outside in
the summer, but that the facility could be designed to "let the outdoors in" with lots of
windows, etc. Commissioner Anderson mentioned the committee that has been studying
youth facility needs in Plymouth and commented that PRAC was not in a position at this
time to make any commitments regarding a pool until after the results of that study are
concluded. Director Blank stated also that the "Downtown Plymouth" planning group
has met twice, and they are interested in some sort of recreation facility being located in
this area.
Chair Anderson thanked CLA for their presentation and indicated that staff would stay in
touch with them about the findings of the youth facility needs study.
PRAC Minutes/June 1995
Page 22
b. West Medicine Lake Park update. Director Blank stated that permits should all be
granted by the end of July. The next step after that will be to get approval of the final
plans and specifications, followed by going out for bid. He explained that an
environmental assessment worksheet had been requested by Dick Milner. Director Blank
said that an archaeological review had been done which discovered one Indian burial
mound located under the old road. He explained that this probably would not affect the
project.
c. Open spaces update. Director Blank thanked all who had worked so diligently on the
open space committee and on getting the word out to vote on May 23. He stated that the
attorneys will begin working on purchase agreements for the four sites. He also indicated
that he will be asking the City Council to authorize feasibility reports on the 19 segments
of trail to help determine which ones to complete first. He expects that all the segments
will be finished within 18 months.
d. Playfield/highschool update. Director Blank distributed copies of the program planned
for the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Monday, June 5. He encouraged all the
commissioners to attend and explained that parking will be at Kimberly Lane Elementary
with buses transporting people to the highschool site. There is a meeting with the grading
contractor on Monday. The estimate for the grading is $300,000.
e. Study of youth sports facilities update. Director Blank stated that the committee has met
twice and will likely take most of the summer to complete their findings. Commissioner
Bildsoe asked if the committee will be prioritizing facilities. Director Blank responded
that once the needs have been determined, they would probably be placed in some sort of
priority order.
Director Blank commented that the City of Shoreview, after opening its community
center, began subsidizing it at $150,000 per year. That figure is now up to about
250,000. Their success rate is not as strong as the Classic Lake Aquatics group implied.
He also confirmed the Commission's understanding that the CLA facility would be
privately owned without City involvement and that it would be in competition with our
swimming program, Wayzata Community Education's swimming program and other
similar programs in the area. Director Blank said that he wants to keep the lines of
communication open with this group, however, because they are very enthusiastic and
will get things done. He believes it would be beneficial for PRAC to visit some of the
community centers that have aquatics facilities, such as Shoreview, Chaska, and
Maplewood. He would also like a joint meeting with the City Council and PRAC
sometime after the results of the youth sports facilities study are known for the purpose of
discussing mutual interests. PRAC members concurred that this was a good idea.
f. Update on new neighborhood park playgrounds, sand volleyball, roller hodke . Director
Blank stated that Timber Shores playground is 75% completed, Mission Hills playground
is being assembled, and Schmidt Lake's playground equipment has just arrived. The
sand volleyball court at Parkers Lake is basically done, and nets should go up June 3.
The roller hockey rink at Plymouth Creek is being graded and the paving should take
place by June 16. The trail in Seven Ponds Park has been graded and should be paved
soon. Director Blank said a ribbon cutting ceremony will be planned this summer that
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Page 23
will include both the accessible playground and new roller hockey rink at Plymouth
Creek Park.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. 1996-2000 CIP discussion. Director Blank reviewed the 1996 CIP and explained the
addition of the Greenwood Elementary playground improvement. He reminded the
Commission that the City has in the past normally contributed up to $10,000 toward
playground improvements. He stated that this amount has been the standard figure for
many years now, and it might be time to review whether or not it is sufficient,
considering that playground improvements now can cost over $60,000. He also
commented that the Greenwood playground might be worthy of a larger contribution than
the standard $10,000 because the residents in this area have contributed over $400,000 in
park dedication fees. Director Blank pointed out that the 1996-2000 CIP does not include
any fiends for golf courses, pools, etc.
b. Federal Duck Stamp Contest - local winner recognition. Director Blank announced that a
resident of Plymouth, Jim Hautman, won the 1995 Federal Duck Stamp contest. He is
being honored in July at a special ceremony to be held at the Mega Mall. Mayor Tierney
will be making a presentation. Director Blank suggested that PRAC may want to
consider naming one of the open space areas after Mr. Hautman, since he happens to live
adjacent to the one at County Road 73 and his art work has contributed $20,000,000 to
the preservation of wildlife. Director Blank then reminded PRAC that it has been the
City's policy not to name a park after an individual. There was some debate then on
whether or not it was a good idea to name a park after Mr. Hautman. Some
commissioners thought it was all right to do so, while others were concerned it might set
a precedent. Commissioner Johnson suggested naming the park "Mallards Park," which
is the name of the winning painting. This would still honor the artist without actually
naming the park after a person. There was more discussion then, and it was finally
decided to carry this item over to the July meeting, because no consensus could be
reached.
c. Feasibility report on use of Ess property for park purposes. Director Blank stated that the
City Council has been offered this property for use as a 494 -Schmidt Lake Road
interchange, but the Council has held off making any decision on purchasing it. They
directed that PRAC review it for possible use as a park. Director Blank indicated that a
feasibility study needs to be done to determine if the land would be suitable for ballfields,
etc., and where the access would be. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER
BILDSOE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FIEMAN TO RECOMMEND
THAT A FEASIBILITY STUDY BE DONE ON THE ESS PROPERTY TO
DETERMINE ITS SUITABILITY AS ATHLETIC FIELDS. THE MOTION CARRIED
WITH ALL AYES.
d. Safety fencing - baseball fields. Director Blank stated that the youth baseball
associations from Plymouth -Wayzata and New Hope -Plymouth have both requested that
the City install safety fencing down the first and third baselines of fields at Pilgrim Lane,
Zachary, Birchview and Greenwood elementary schools. Park maintenance has some
money which has been allocated for upgrading fencing at some of our existing park sites,
and they estimate that to do the same at these four sites, which includes eight fields, will
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Page 24
cost about $9,000. Director Blank believes that it would be in everyone's best interest to
go ahead with these improvements. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER
FIEMAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PRIEBE TO RECOMMEND THE
INSTALLATION OF SAFETY FENCING AT A COST OF $9,000. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.