HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 05-12-1988Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
May 12,; 1988, 7:30 p . to
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Visitor Presentations
a. Athletic Associations.
b. Staff.
c.. Others.
4. Report on Past Council Action
a. St. Mary's Park Award Contract
b.
5. Unfinished Business
a. Request for Matching Funds - Greenwood/Oakwood PIA
b., Plymouth Creek Site Planning - George Watson
c.; Park Usage/Cost Study Report Discussion (waiting for report from
Edina)
d. Lions Park Update (completed)
e. Parkers Lake Update
f. St. Mary's Neighborhood Park Update
g. Community Center General Discussion
h.
5. Now Business
a. 1989-93 CIP
b.
C.
7. Conission Presentation
8. Staff Cowunicati'on
9. Adjournment
Community Center Study Session - May 1$
Park Tour May 19
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
April 14, 1988
Page 16
Present: Chair Edwards, Commissioners Hanson, Reed, _Anderson,, LaTour and,
Beach; staff Blank,. Patterson and Pederson; and George. Watson of
Brauer and Associates
Absent: Commissioner Rosen
1, CALL TO ORDER
Chair Edwards called the April meeting, to order at 1:40 p.m. in the
Council Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Reed and seconded' by Commissioner
LaTour to approve the minutes of the March meeting as presented. The
motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting.
b. ,Staff. Mary Patterson discussed the success of Plymouth's first out
of state trip to Florida during spring break. to see the Twins at
Spring Training Camp. A formal evaluation will be done by sending a
questionnaire to the participants.
She informed the Commission that 200 adult softball teams had
registered: for our spring/summer softball season and that: play
begins on Friday, April 22.
She indicated that she continues to work on the Arta Advisory
Council with members from the Art Center of Minnesota, Wayzata
Community Education,, staff from Wayzata: Senior Nigh and interested.
residents. The purpose of the Arts Council is to determine what
direction to go with cultural events. in this community..
Mary discussed how busy staff is gearing up for summer recreation
programs. The May/,rune Plymouth on: Parade is at the printers now
and will be in homes by May I. She stated that it is the largest
issue ever published and has many new programs..: Some of these
classes are: Sunday evening t -ball for children with both parents
working during the day, ball skills class for 4 b: S year olds too
young to take t -ball, Friday afternoon special events for toddlers,
etc;
Mary stated that many vendors have contacted us wanting to sell
concessions at Parkers Lake: this summer as well as at the
playf`ields. She indicated that we are currently having the City
attorney review, an agreement that would be signed by both a vendor
and the City regarding the individual responsibilities of each..
PRAC Minutes/April 14 198$
Page 17
She also mentioned that Plymouth will be sponsoring a. Volksmarch in
October which could be part of the Parkers Lake Pavilion grand
opening if the timing is right.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL, ACTION
a. P_ly=urh Creek SoccerField. Council approved the construction of a
second. soccer field at. Plymouth Creek which will be constructed in
1988, but will not be ready for use until the spring of 1989.
b. ,S,tMarv's Neighborhood Park Plans and Suecifications. Council
approved the final plans and specifications for St. Mary's park.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. PlXMouth Creek Site Planning- Update. George Watson presented a
preliminary master plan to the commissioners and staff and reviewed
with them how it combined aspects of plans 2 and 3, which were
studied, at the March meeting. This plan shows 10 tennis courts, two
banks of four courts each, and one bank of two, which would be for
spectator, tennis, with seating, surrounding it. One of the banks of
four could be domed at a later time for indoor soccer, by placing a
turf cover over the court's surface. Discussion also covered the
theme park area, and an explanation of the sculptured garden and
civic _plaza area. George, pointed out the proposed location of the
handicapped accessible tot lot, and commissioners had some questions
about this. They were concerned that it would be only for children
with handicaps, but were informed by Director Blank and George that.
it would .be an integrated playground for use by children of all
ability levels, it would simply have ramps to allow wheelchair
access to much of the equipment., Commissioner Hanson questioned
whether or not the trees could rea.>lly be saved once construction
begina on the expansion of the parking lot and the community center,
Director Blank responded that it would be difficult. if the
community center is moved farther north, onto the land that we do
not own at the present time, more trees will be saved.
Commissioners asked. George to amend the plan by adding an overlay
showing the community center pushed farther north, and changing some
of the descriptive titles for example, the title "civic,
plaza/sculpture garden" was, confusing to the Commission,because of
the many ways this could be interpreted. Following the Commission's
review of the amended plan at their May meeting, the plan. would then
be shared with the Council.
bi Park Usage/Cost Study Report Discussion. Chair Edwards. sta,te t that
this item does not have to be decided on at this meeting, but that
some decision needs to be reached no later than next month, so that
a recommendation can be forwarded to the Council in time for budget.
preparation She suggested three possible recommendations to the
Council. It was the general consensus of the commissioners that
they are not comfortable at this time making a decision on charging
user fees, until more information is available from other
communities. Staff is still waiting on the. results of a survey
being done by Edina on user fees, and this information should be
ready by the May PRAC meeting
FRAC !minutes/April 14, 1988
Page l8
C packers Lake_Ugdate• Belair Builders, is making great progress on
the: pavilion and hopes to have it completed by July 1, although
their contract specifies a September 7 completion date. They've
agreed to have the picnic shelters finished as soon as possible.
d.. Sti Mary's Ngighborh02d Park Update. The advertisement for bids has,
been published in the, newspaper, with bid opening scheduled for
April 27 at 2:00. The award of contract should go to the City
Council on May 2, with construction, beginning sometime in mid or
late May.
e. Public Hearing to Amend-CoMgrehensiye Plan. This has been
tentatively scheduled for the May PRAC meeting..
f i2ns Park Playground Update, Crews are now erecting this
playground and should have it 90% completed by Friday, April 22.
6. NEV BUSINESS
a,. Request for Matching funds -,Greenwood/Oakwood PTIJ, Director Blank
reviewed the written request from the Greenwood/Oakwood PTA for
matching funds from the City to build new playgrounds at these two
school 'sites. Maps with circles showing the, walking radius to all
neighborhood parka in the general vicinity of Greenwood and Oakwood
were, also reviewed and discussed. Commissioners then reviewed the
guidelines for requesting contributioxns to see if these two groups
met the guidelines. It was decided that the Greenwood neighborhood
did not meet the guideline for being 50% developed, although the
school's attendance is estimated at between 600 and 700 children,_
and these children all use the playground. Commissioners then
discussed that the majority of these children are bussed in from
other parts of Plymouth. The Commission decided that the Greenwood
request would be postponed until staff finds out how many children
attending there actually live chose enough to walk to the school,.
Bill Richardson, representing the Oakwood PTO, was present at the
meeting to request assistance for their playground and to answer any
questions. PRAC again reviewed the guidelines and discussed the
fact that Oakwood is not designated as a neighborhood park, but
rather as a community playfield, and that. Oakwood had received a new
parking lot two years ago, which is considered: as an improvement and
falls under guideline #8 Mr. Richardson felt that the new parking
lot was not as much an improvement to the playground as it was to
the community playfield, and therefore, should not be considered
when reviewing this request.
Commissioners asked Director Blank how funding these projects would
affect the construction of other neighborhood parks in 1989. He
stated that funds for the school playgrounds would come from the
some budget as neighborhood parks and would have to be budgeted for
accordingly. He felt, however, that no new neighborhood parks would
be built in 1989, but, that two could be possible in 1990,,one of
which might be Swan Lake. Kilmer Park needs minor construction and.
would probably be the next park _scheduled for any redevelopment
funds.
PRAC Minutes/April 14, 1988
Page 19
Commissioners decided that neither of these requests for matching
funds can be approved at this time, because both need further study,
and the Commission would like an opportunity to look at the UP for
1989-94 Mr. Richardson Was asked to provide the Commission with a
site plan and a. list of what equipment they would like added and,
which Pieces: they will be removing prior to the May meeting.
b unity Center General Discussion, Director Blank stated that
the City Manager has requested that PRAC have a report prepared by
Judy regarding the needs analysis for the community center. In
consideration of this. request, he feels. that PRAC will need to meet
twice. a month between now and then in order to accomplish this.
Because so many interest. groups need to be heard from, it was
suggested that, several could speak at one meeting and be given some
guidelines in order to make their presentat,ons more effective and
timely.. Groups would be limited to 30 minutes each and -should
provide as much written information as possible to PRAC prior to
making their presentation. Groups that need to be 'heard from
include: both District 281 & 284 community education departments,
youth hockey, swimming groups and senior citizens, as well as other
smaller groups that will want to hold meetings in the community
center. Meeting space is a. very important consideration, and in
talking with other cities that have built community centers,
Director Blank has learned that they did. not plan for enough meeting
rooms.. Commissioner Hanson asked if the original plan for the
community center included room layout, and Director Blank responded
that it did. Chair Edwards stated that FRAC should review that plan
to see if it's still appropriate now and that PRAC should also
review the task force report prepared in 1984 prior to the May
meeting. She suggested that commissioners start a separate folder
on community center issues,
Director Blank and Chair Edwards will work out a calendar of ineeting
dates to discus's the community center and will inform everyone of
those dates.
c. Parkers Luke Peace Gardens. Unites Properties and Laukka:, the
developers of Parkers Lake North, will cc.,tribute $5,000 toward the
development of the peace gardens, and have had their landscape
architect, Gene Ernst, prepare the concept plans. Director Blank
shared, those plans with the Commission and discussed the various
components of the plan. It consisted of several nodes, with each
node priced separately. The peace gardens could be constructed in
phasem, and it is anticipated that some of the gardens would be
planted this year.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER REED AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
HANSON TO APPROVE ACCEPTING THE $5,000 DONATION BY UNITED PROPERTIES
AND LAUKKA FOR THE PEACE` GARDENS AT PARKERS LAKE CITY PARK. THE
MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None
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DRAFT CIP
1989-93
West Medicine. Lake Drive
46th Avenue between Zachary and .than
Ferndale Road south of 101
Soo Line trail between Zachary & -,.rch
County Road 6 just west of 10`1
Mission natural area
Maplecreek Park east to Fernbrook
Land Acquis ion :West Medicine Lake Park, 1-4 homes
Plymouth Creek Park, Mrs.. Schulty
Fernbrook & 9, wood
Zachary Playfield, land to west
9th playfield site
Develp,Fment Xx-oiects :West Medicine Lake Park
Oakwood and Greenwood Elementary Schools
21.8 $742,338
S179,042
930,789 (revenue) $179,042
81,732
260,774 (April 30)
219 $275,497
81,732
4.053
361,282 (revenue April 30'
111,859) -St. Mary's
535)-St. Mary's
1,232) -St. Mary's
6.500)-St. Mary's
241,156 (balance May 1, 1988) $930,789
50,000 (soccer field)
77
645,01.6 (fund balance
May 1, 1988)
DRAFT 1-9 8 S_ 1 9 8 9 C A P i T A l I i, P R 0 Y E !i E N T S P R 0 6 R A M'
1 • wetni tuna 'increase _
weans fund decrease
2) federal revenue sharing fund
3 Storm serer tax district
Y F A R 1 9 8 9 t) Public works reserve fund
S) Tax increment financing
6) Hater revenue bonds
Park Dedication Fund
1.P<
No. Proect 0escri tionNo.
Fs
Cost
Special:Assessments
mea latera Tota
Co"Mnity
Utility N.S.A. Plyflds Neighbrhd
Fund (1) Fund i Traits Parks
State/
County/ G. 0,
Federal Bonds Other
PI o th Creek Park
Tennis f Parkin 150,,000
ISO 0
Plymouth Creek Park Pond 5
Parkers Lae Garden 6,000
West Medicine Lake Drive
h Ave to Park 75,000
8,500.0 0
Community Center 8.500.000
i
val r weans Tunu Increast -
198 5 - 1989 SAP f T A L I KPROYE'MENTS Plt06RA11 means fund decrease
2 Federal revenue sharing fund
Y E A R - 1 9_9 L 3Storm serer tax district
4) Public works reserve fund
S) Tax increment financing
6) Water revenue bonds
No. PrIDJeCt
Sp--cial Assessments r
tag . weans runs ncres%e .
DRAFT 1 9 8 5 1 9 means fund decrease9CAPITAEIMPR0YEKEMTS' P R 0 6 R A M (
23 Federal revenue sharing fund
Y E A R - 19 1 3)' Storm sever tax district
4) Public works reserve fund
5) Tax increment financing
6) Hater .revenue bonds
I.P.
10. Pro ect Description.
Estimated
Cost
Special AssessmeInts Utilit M. S.'A. Neighbrhd County/
CIE /iII !Mw,,7-P---
Parkers Lake Playfield
xi ..tarts tunu ncrease
1985 1989 CAPITAL IMPR0VEMENTS PROGRAM 'a eiksfunddeCreas'
DRAFT ---" Federal revenue sharing fund
Y E A R 1991 , J Store sewer tax, district
4) Public works reserve fund
5) Tax increment financing
6) Water revenue bonds
r
I P. Estimated
No Pro *ct Descripti CostFund _Federal
r
R
x wCinY tutor iTKrtasr
means fund degrease
1 98 S - 1989 CAP 1TAt tMP ROVEMENT5 P'R0GRAM
14) p) Federal revenue sbgring fund
3 Stotw sever tax district
Y E A R 1 9 Vii? Publiz works reserve fonda (s) Tax increment financing
6) Water revenue bonds
a
1988 - 1992
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
RK S'
MAP PROGRAM
NO. DESCRIP110
1 1988: Q St. Mary's Neighborhood Park Development
2 1988 West Medicine Lake Park Land Acquisition
1988 12} Trail Construction
3 1,988 ot, Plymouth Creek Park Soccer Field Construction
4 1989 Swan Lake Neighborhood Park Acquisition(Developt,.ent
5 pg< Plymouth Creek Park Pond Dredging
6 1999 West Medicine Lake Park, Phase I Development (including road
relocation)
498d Trail Construction
7 Plymouth Creek Park Tennis Court Construction
8 Bats Lake Neighborhood Park Development
9 1990 Kilmer Neighborhood Park Redevelopment 1
1990 Trail Construction
10 1990 Bass Lake Playfield, Phase I Development
11 Plymouth Creek Park Pond Dredging
12
1.
1990 West Medicine Lake Park,Phase 11 Development
I 1991 Trail Construction
i - 1,991 Neighborhood Park Acquisition/Development, (Northeast Site)'
13 1991 Bass Lake Playfield, Phase I1 Development
14 1 Plymouth Creek Park Pond, Dredging
1,992 Neighborhood Park Acquisition/Development Parkers Lake North
and 1-494 b Co. Rd. 9)
15 1.992' Parkers Lake Park Playfield, Phase I Development
1992 Trail Construction
16 I,g Y. ' Plymouth Creek Park. Pond Dredging
CITY C
PLYMOUT +
May 2r 1988
Thomas L. Bisanz
dice President. Director of Residential Development
Northland Land Company
3500 w 80th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55431
Dear 'rom•
Thank you for your kind letter and $5,000 donation to Parkers Lake City Park.,
The Laukka Development at Vicksburg Lane and County Road 6, and your Mallard
Point Development will be outstanding additions to the City of Plymouth, I
have enjoyed working with you during, the last two years.. We would not be able
to develop projects like Parkers Lake: without the understanding and
cooperation of developers such as ycu and Mr. Laukka. Tom, you are to be
comtaended for your farsightedness.
As we have discussed previously, I have tentatively set up a presentation for
you and Mr. Laukka: prior to the May 16 City Council meeting.. Again, thank you
for this most kind and generous contribution,
Sincerely,,
Eric J. Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EJBjnp
cc: City Manages
Fark and Recreation Advisory Commission
3400 PLYMOUTH, BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH: MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 5592800
A SUBSIDIARY' OF T4E. NORTHLAND COMPANY
April 29, 1988
Mr. Eric Blank
Director, Parks and Recreation
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
RE: Contribution to Parkers Memorial, Garden
Parkers Lake Park, Plymtatath, Minnesota
Dear 'Er is
Please find enclosed a check in the amount of 15.5,-000.00 as a
contribution to the landscaping of Parkers Memorial Garden.
Although the check is from the Northland Land Company, this
contribution is. made equally by L. A., Laukka Development Company
and us:. I will be seeking reimbursement from Larry Laukka for
half the amount.
We appreciate this opportunity for communkty involvement. We
share: your excitement in helping to create one of the premier
city parks in the Twin Cities. We compliment you on; the fine
park facility as well as the job you and the entire Parks
Department. are doing to enhance: the high quality of life which
the residents of the city of Plymouth enjoy.
S`ncerely,
omas L. Bisana
Vine President
Director of Residential Development
TLB/ snm
Enc.
cc;. Larry Laukka,
3500 WEST WTN STREET MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55431 -TELEPHONE 612.831-1000
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NORTHLAND LAND COMPANY \.... l.,.x
3540 WEST 80TH STREET, NQ. 100
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55131 22«t
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ofPAY
M DATE AMOUNT
TO City of Plymouth 4-28-85 5,000.00
OROt t 3400 Plymouth Blvd NORTHLAND LAND COMPANY
or Plymouth, VN. 55447
N400 7 3 30, of:0960000 Ly1 20sc6 313 30u'
i
DETACH AND RETAIN THIS STATEMENT
T4C 1kTT1kC4[0 CwRCK IS IN rAYMCNT Of ITEMS : OrSCRIRCO. RIC'-OW
pNORTHLANDLANDCOMPANYkrNOTCONRCCT LcAsr NOTIKY` Ut "OkirTt y, NO RCCEI'T acal"ro
DELUXE . FORM TWVO-2 SPL,
DATE DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
EXPLANATION (24) IDENT,NO. co
DISTRIBUTION
DEBT CREDIT
CC JACCOUNT NO. SUB,
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH,. MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: April 27, 1,988
TO: James G. Willis, City Manager
FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation Eb
SUBJECT: WAYZATA SOCCER CLUB TOURNAMENT REQUEST
The Wayzata Soccer Club has submitted a request to sponsor two tournaments in
1988:. The first tournament, scheduled for June 24-26, is consistent with
their use of our facilities in previous years. I have granted approval of
this tournament request. The. second 'request, which is a new program, is for
July 15-17. They have requested the use of eight fields for this three day
weekend.. I have denied this request based on my belief that this is an.
increase in the use of our facilities over previous yes:. This concentrated
type of use definitely has the potential for driving up our field maintenance
costs
Darrell. Johnson is the individual representing the Wayzata Soccer Club on,
these. matters. I've indicated to Darrell, that, if he wishes to appeal my
finding in this matter, I would be happy to prepare this item for the May 16
City Council. meeting. I will keep. you informed of any further information on
this item.
EBjnp
Attachments
cc Park and Recreation Advito y Commission
Rick Busch
CITY OF PLYNi7lCI't#
SPECIAL EVENT/PARK USAGE APPLICATION
1. Organization '1%*2-aI„ co r-c,r
2. Person in Charge: Name 1)L ra
Address d S 3 S
Phone: Home G Z 7Wbrk+-f`O"P0 S'
3. Dates desired ,uwc Zq T Z
socG•Lr
4 Fields/U49a desired AM
t el , Z
5. Wi 11 food be sola? • p
6. Other A icdC u.f 't .y. s- nti. CEkA of a9S
7. Fields: Ply Grooms Outside Grouos
Baseball/Sof tballAiockey/13roomball Baseball/ oftball/ :)ckey/-Brnb
10/game/fielcl or rink $20/game/field or rink
40/day/field or rink $60/day/field or rink
Fbotball/Secoer Football/Sour
15/game/field $20/game/field
60/day/field $80/day/field
Ejtimated Actgal (Office use Only)
Field charges $ ---
Lights ($20/hr/field)
Staff($6/hour
Tent ($175)
Pitching Machine ($15/hour)
TOTAL ,
100` DEPOSIT IXE AT TIME OF APPLICATION.
z. Zx rri hl1 AA1.U.-0 _ , understand that a, part or all of the deposit fee
will be forfeited if condition of the park requires extra duties for. the Park and
Recreation Department, and that I and the representative organization are
r ible for conduct of participants and any resulting damages.
Si ure Date
Tournament request granted l% Rejected
Park and Recreation Director's Signature,-'—'1--l" _ Date
s
CrI'Y OF PLYNM"
SPECIAL E E14r/PARK USAGE APPLICATI®N
1. organization % Z4O CSC• C
2. Person in Charge: Name _N rri lC c i .vsQ r
Addrest'a..+.Sfio
Phone Home G Z 7 Work
3. Dates desired T _ /7 1a., first' iL1. lalt/,
4 . Felds/UiWw desired .p
z
5. will food be sold? • P
6 . Other 1 . me( c e i I c
7. Fields:Outside Grout
Baseball/Sof tball/Hockey/Hroomball Baseball/Softball/liockey/Brmb
10/game/field or rink $20/9ame/field or rink
40/day/field or rink $60/day/field or rink
Football/Soccer Football/Soccer
15/game/field $20/game/f ield
60/day/field $80/day/field
FActua1 (Office use only)
Field charges
Lights ($20/hr/field)
Staff ($6/bour)
Tent ($175)
Pitching Machine ($15/hour)
WrAL
100 I 06IT !XE AT TIME OF APPLICATICN.
understand that a part or all of the deposit fee
will, be forfeited if condition of thePa rk requires extra duties for the Park and
Recreation Department, and, that I and the representative organization are
responsible for oonducb of participants and any resulting damages.
Si tura Date
Tournament request granted Rejected
Park and Recreation Director's Signature _ - Date
PARKS AND RECREATION
B.C. LEISURE POOL
IS WAVE OF THE FUTURE
The folks at the W.C. Blair Recreation Centre in Langley, B.C., a 1987 Facility of Merl,
rightfully boast thatthar new pod facility—complete with a wave system, fide, bubble
machine and an erupting volcano—rivals any of Europe's finest leisure facilities,
By Tom Down Located 40 miles from downtown
Vancouver, Langley, with a city
giSurf's Up_ Surf's UPI" population of 16,000 and a township
It's an old rallying cry population of 54,000, boasts the first
that has gained new leisure wave pool in British Colum -
popularity around Langley, British bia whose water is treated by the
Columbia, these days. And it isn't first European -style ozone system in
simply a trendy revival, subject to Western Canada. Those are just the
the vagaries of youth, current trends first of the firsts incorporated into
and the weather, lt's trumpeted by the W.C. Blair 'Recreation Centre,
young and oldalike, and it will The 35,000 -square -foot indoor
reverberate for years to come, facility was designed specifically to
30
meet the needs of an entire com-
munity, focusing both on the seri-
ous athlete and the recreational
user. it features a lap pool,, diving
area, play lagoon and tot area -all
in one 200,000 gallon body of water;
For ambience, the facility touts a
volcano that erupts on schedule
several times an hour and a mood
setting, three-way lighting system, as
well as a Mexican -style sauna and a
swirl pool. It's all state of the art in
design, functional in performance,
and, with the benefit of fast-track
construction, it came in under
budget at $33 million Canadian.
A HOLIDAY ATMOSPHERE. If you
think the patrons who visit the
Centre by the hundreds every day
are pleased, talk to the people who
researched, planned and executed
it. You'll find out why buttons are
popping all over Langley. For the
money, they feel they have the finest
facility of its type in the world.
What we tried to do was in-
troduce fun and a holiday at-
mosphere," tmosphere," says Vic Davies of
Davies & Smith Architects of Van-
couver, "This is anattempt to get
away from that cold, clinical feeling
that most pools seem to be blessed'
with.
It's a fact that a vast majority of
people who go to a pool go there
for leisure swimming, as opposed to
competitive swimming. In the past,
ATHLETIC BUSINESS, May, 19"
ATHLETIC NUSINESS,_May, M8 - 31
what we've done is cater to the com-
petitive swimmer and all of the s
pools were designed to accommo-
date these people. We're turning
the table on that. We're trying to
accommodate the leisure swim-
mers—the people who go there for
pure enjoyment:"
Davies concedes that the W.C.
omeBlairRecreationCentreisstillsome- 1` -moi•;:: ..°.-=.....
thingthing of a compromise from a true w '
leisure pool, since it does feature a.
six -lane, 25 -meter competition area. fButagain, the purpose of the facil= a,
ity is to satisfy the diverse recrea-
tional tastes of 710,000 people.
We knew what we wanted was a
family recreation center, something
that wasn't geared strictly toward
competition," says Darchbborne,
Langley's director of community
services, who acted as the Centre's
design and construction coor- With its vvokeno, pictured here in the background, and other eantic attributes,
dinator, the pool helps create an environment that removes people from everyday life.
We wanted to be able to accom-
modate competition at a local that 80 percent of the responding, are the end result of a foundation
level, but not offer ourselves for patrons were between the ages of built upon extensive research and
something like a summer tourna- 25 and: 40, with 92 percent having planning. Originally, the facility was
mentor Provincial Games. So we set children under 12 years old, It also intended to house two swimming
the minimum competitive standard pointed out that 43 percent of the pools—a competition pool and a
at the 25 -meter pool and added very respondents visited the Centre at passive recreation -oriented free-
little bleacher capacity. least twice a month, and 31 percent form leisure pool—together with fit -
We wanted a facility that would came once or twice a week. The tress facilities. Price; $4.6 million.
be available for drop-in swimming main reasons for attending were However, a Langley referendum
any time that the building was relaxationtstress reduction (27 per- mandated that one-third of the cap -
open,'" says Oborne, "You don't cent), maintaining a desirable fit- ital funding must come from the
have to carry a card in your wallet, ness level (23 percent), and learning Provincial Recreation Facilities
saying `Here are the times for pub- and/or improving swimming skills Fund. Weeks after the referendum
lic swimming; as we used to call it. 21 percent). was passed, the Facilities Fund was
You can drop in any time and Millen says a new marketing study "suspended:'
there'll always be a portion of the is underway in an effort to even out. In 1985, momentum for a pool
pool available for lap swimming, the bumps in the attendance graph. resurfaced, and planners examined
and a portion of the leisure pool They're also looking to improve ways to get the biggest bang forthe
available for just having fun in, the numbers through group book- buck, if necessary, without Provin-
water. The swirl, sauna and fitr ess ings—keeping in mind the open cial Funding assistance. in order to
room also are always available, door philosophy of the Centre, ensure that the project would be
How does this sort of free-f'row, Our comfortable maximum is the most innovative and technolog--
almost "classless" policy suit the 250 at a time in the pool area," he scally advanced in all of British
aquanauts of Langley? Just fine, says. "So even with a large group of Columbia, the cotire design team,
according to facility manage,- Dale say, 1o0 it wouldn't be a problem:" along with Oborne and the con -
Miller, who actually works for the SOMETHING E011 EVERYONE. The struction manager, traveled to Eu-
Langleywhich I beenYIo W.C. Blair Recreation Centre offers rope to research the top leisure
rrun wrun Cmtr
says when the facility opened on a full complement of swim and life-
centers in the world.
Anew pool referendum, with a
Dec. 15,19K. initial enthusiasm was swim" classes, as well as a gym and price tag of $3.85 million Canadian, swim program, which combinetremendous. Average daily atter- dry land exercise with aquatics. was placed before voters and it
dance was 1,200 with a peak of 1,923 received an 80 percent favorable
patrons on. March 18,1987. By June, Admission costs range from $3.25 response in both the city and town -
attendance figures had dipped to an a day for an adult to $126.75 for a Ship of Langley. Through Expo Lega-
average of 760 a day, and in Febru- 3 -month pass. Because the Centre cyfunding, the Centre received $1.2
aryof this year, they had climbed to is a municipal public facility, no million from the Provincial govern -
yearlong memberships can be sold, 880. ment of British Columbia, and area
A marketing study completedjust The critical acclaim and numeri- service clubs and organizations
after the facility opened reported cal success achieved by the Centre (conrintiedon next mase)
ATHLETIC NUSINESS,_May, M8 - 31
LEISURE POOL
Continued front page 31
donated another $30,000, The re-
rrlainder came via a loan authoriza-
tion by-law (bond issue), for a
20 -year amortization"
Incidentally, thefacility in Langleyf-"
marked the first use of Expo Legacy
funding in British
a
r
Columbia. That
fund was established to "spread the
W t \ r --- wealthy by providing money for
facilities throughout the provincec
v • ..-
r,, r _ " n F a` followfollowing Expo '86 in Vancouver. m '
PAST -TRACK CONSTRUCTION. Once
funding won approval, the project
moved along quickly under fast-
track construction, which mini- ini-
mizedtheamountoftimespentonmized. the amount of time spent on
the drafting period. In this case, the The pool, which ranges in depth from a zero beach near the play lagoon and lot areaCentre's foundation and shell were to 10!V. -feet for diving, is intended for both the recreational and competitive user. just begun when the project lead
ers left for Europe. we didn't even have a site selected, voters, at 6 -foot maximum depth,
When Nve dug the foundation of and. we started construction in and we added, the extra 4Yz feet to
the building," explains Oborne, "we ' October. make the splash pool for the slide
had the footprint of the building The fast-track construction a little safer and to add a diving
designed. We didn't have the plans management allowed us to adjust board.
completed ky any means. We did the budget—taking things out and "We also added to the fitness
that as needed over the course of putting things in—as we went along, rocin, making it 1,500 square feet,
construction. That was because for example, we added to the depth ratf -r that, 2M, We realized that
when we passed the vote in June, of the pool. It was passed by the :ontinued on paga 341
IL
Circle 27 on the Information Request Card
32
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ATHLETIC BUSINESf,, May, 1988
LEISURE POOL
Continued 6om page 32)'
when we started looking at the final
plans, it just wasn't going to be able
to accommodate the community we
have here and its fitness desires"
Fast-track construction also
earned the praise of architect
Davies, particularly in the area of
cost control, if costs ran over bud-
get in one area, it could be reduced'
in another.
When the lights catch the
water and fog going up
together, it's just like sheets
of flame,"
The reaction that we're getting
from some of the people from Eu-
rope who are visiting us is that we
are now leading the world," says
Oborne, "It's exciting that a com-
munity of 7+0,000 has a facility that is
first and foremost in the worldfor
this particular thing. Now we're not
talking about a 150-metercompeti-
tion swim pool, We're talking about
a community facility, which serves
an amazing percentage of the popu-
lation, and is doing so at a deficit
that is so low, it's almost unheard
of;
The heart of the Centre is, of
course, the leisure/competition
pool, Measuring 101'2 feet at its
deepest, it gradually shallows to a
zero beach near the play lagoon and
tot area, Thegently sloping beach
allows (or wheelchair access, as well
as benefitting those who prefer to
enter the water slowly. Water equip-
ment includes a 1 -meter diving
board, slide, bubble machine, foun-
tain sprays and various spray heads.
Rising above the deck at the deep
end is the volcano, complete with
asound and light package that pro-
vides a two or seven minute erup-
tion several times an hour. Why a
volcano?
We had a storeroom at the end
of the pool hall," says Davies, "and.
rather than just' leave it like that, we
decided to try the volcano, We
could introduce a sound and light
situation and add a new dimension
into the pool atmosphere.
We worked with a guy to build
the rock work and then we put a
water fountain in it, which provides.
the eruption, And there's a fog
machine in there as well, with
strobe lights and colored lights, and
a sound machine, too. What hap-
pens is when the lights catch the
water and fog going up together,it's
just like sheets of flame,
The fog is actually scented. it's
pHia colada. So that's another
dimension. You have smell as well,
as sight and sound,"
To the "unsuspecting" swimmer,
the volcano acts as the impetus be-
hind the waves that ripple through
the pool, When surf's up, those
waves can measure feet high in the
deepest part of the pool, before
breaking gently on the zero beach,
The intensity and the frequency
of the volcano and waves are sub-
ject to what is going on in the pool
at any given time. During times
when classes are in progress, the
natural disasters" tend to be less
frequent,
Architect Davies, believes that
34:
Dicle 30 on the;loiornat on Request: Caro
ATHLETIC BUSINUS, May, 1988
moving water is ideal for the leisure a place to sit and participate in the popular and practical attraction,
pool concept. But surprisingly he conversation. "it allows the public to be in the
adds, "One thing that tends to A DICK FOR LANDL000ERL Patrons pool area and watch the goings-on.
get overemphasized is the wave who preferto keep both feet on dry ror instance, the parents: of kids in
machine, ground are not excluded. The facil, the classes can be very close to the
ity features a two-tiered deck area activity, whereas in many pools,
for spectators and resting, parti- there is a glass partition separating
cipants. It's lined with umbrella the paid area from the unpaid area,
The fast-track constructiontopped patio tables, and nearby is Our way makes it more comfort
an Orange Julius concession stand, able;' says Miller.
management` allowed us to which sells soft drinks, sandwiches, "Also, we have the Municipal Hall
adjust the budget --taking muffins, doughnuts: and other next door. Quite a few of them
snacks. According to Miller, the con- come over regularly for lunch, just
things out and putting things cept and design of the deck is a (continued on next pager
in -as we went along." 7771TA777777f 77".
One of our basic philosophies is
we try to establish moving water in
every pool' we do' says Davies. "The
wave machine is just one of maybe
20 ways. It's not all that important.
You. can get. a lot of emphasis out of
the -smaller items like 'fountain
sprays, spray hats, bubble machines,
and all that kind of thing. That's.
what the kids like. The wave
machine, if it's affordable, is the
icing on the cake:'
The 4,000 -gallon swirl pool, like
the main pool, ',s distinctive. Instead
of being a nken rectangular
receptacle, the swirl pool is raised'
and is shaped similarly to three
adjoining circles.
The swirl pool is the resultof an
evolution that we've worked up over
the years," says Davies. "It's a con-
versation pit style pool. Tradition-
ally, swirl pools are rectangular or
square. Years ago we decided to
drop an island in it so you could
have people sitting in the middle
and along the sides talking to each
other.
Well, we watcl,,ed what was hap-
pening, and we found ii -,at some of
the older people and pet ple with
arthritic complaints liked th,: shape
because they could walk around the
rock. But they would be bumping
into knees and stepping on feet.
What we've got now is a series.
of 6 -foot circular areaswhich allow
for conversation, and also an area
right through the middle which
allows people to walk up and down.
So, you might get a group of
teenagers in one part and older
folks in another and it's really be-
come a social thing:'
in addition, the lip of the swirl
pool is raised, allowing "outsiders"
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Circle 31 on the Information Requ Card
35
LEISURE POOL
SUPPLIER
Institutional Fable"
That philosophy of providing Even the central check-in area
US. National
time, space and equipment for the exudes a feeling of sociability. it'sContinuedfrompages) average person interested in fitness designed more like a hotel recep-
to sit around the pool and be enter- lies at the root of the WC., Blair tion desk, rather than the standard
tained by the kids in the water," Recreation Centre, The idea is to get recreation center check-in. That, as
For the fitness -minded land- the entire family involved, rather well, is part and parcelwith the
lubber, the Centre also has a fitness than just the serious athlete of the leisure concept: make patrons feel
studio, stocked with Universal and family comfortable from the time they
Hydra -Fitness equipment, and exec- Nowhere is the family' theme walk in the building until the time
case bicycles. The variety of equip- more evident than in the Centre's they leave.
ment is intended to provide the locker rooms. In addition to the I think that if you took your kids
average patron with a good, healthy traditional changing area, the along, you'd find out what makes
workout. But why a weight room Ito Centre features six self-contained
a leisure pool facility? private changing rooms for use by
A large component of keeping fit families, the handicapped and the
is a drrland area where you can inhibited. The idea, again, was a The facility i S an ideal mar - have access to weight equipment," European import and it has gone
says Oborne.. "We're looking at this over very well in Langley.. riage between modern tech -
room more and more and finding it's a great feature," says Oborne. nology and old-fashionedthatitisn't, just for the muscle- Mom comes in with three children
leisure. bound types. We're geared toward and just to contain them in one
the average person off the street room is a plus;
with an hour or so who can really While not intended to serve as a
get a good workout. - Complete social center for the Lang -
People in the fitness room look ley area, the Centre does feature the Centre special," says Davies.
out over the pool and people in the a few amenities aside from swim- You can enjoy it and so can they.
pool below can look up and see ruing and weight lifting. There are We don't have lifeguards anymore.
they aren't all 'Schwa rtzenbu rgers' three multipurpose studios with We have social hosts and hostesses.:
up there. They're just like you and rubberized flooring geared to aero- They're there to help you have a
me,, so it's more inviting," says bics, a child-care area, and arts stu- good time; They're not; sitting on
Oborne. dios for public use. lifeguard ,stands blowing whistles.
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ATHLETIC BUSINESS, May, 1988
iv
n
They're walking around, talking to
you and encouraging you to get in
there and enjoy it,
The object is to go there and cre-
ate something. You don't just go
there to swim laps. You'll go into the
sauna, you'll go into the swirl pool,
you can sit above the bubble
machine, play with the spray heads..
By the time you've gone around and
done everything at the pool, you'll
feel that you've gone around on a
long track. it's an experience!'
Oborne echoes those sentiments
by explaining that the Centre serves
as a haven from the hectic pace of
day-to-day life.
What the architect tried to do,"
he says, "is create an environment
within the pool, rather than creat-
ing windows through which you
can look out onto the street. You're
in that pool and you're in you: own
environment, It seems that you're
really quite removed from the every-
day challenges and frustrations that
a person might. have. You can really
get a nice feeling:'
LATEST TECHNOLOGIES. That's ad-
mirable on a philosophical level,
but on the, practical plane, the
Centre has utilized the latest tech-
nologies of
ech-
nologiesof the '80s to separate the
inside environment from the out-
side. utside.
The facility's insulation is actually
an outsulation wall system. Cou-
pled with an inverted roofing mem-
brane assembly system, it provides
the building with a continuous
What we tried to do was
introduce a holiday atmo-
sphere, in an attempt to get
away from that cord, clinical
feeling that most pools seem
to be blessed with.
vapor barrier. Davies says it's sort of
like wrapping the building in a
blanket.
The Centre also boasts a heat
recovery system that pulls the inside
humidity out of the air and returns
it to the water system as partially
heated water.
THERE'S NO NEED
TO GET WET BEFORE
YOU GO SWIMMING
Let us tell you how our
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and the air dry and warm.
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y11r P7Nmrt 0MVIrn IS ErC0110f)rc M N'urblIalNlUp & iffV1tr
ATHLETIC BUSINESS, Msr,
Thosewho have chilly childhood
memories of swimming_ lessons in
an icy cold pool will take comfort in
the fact that at Langley, more warm
water is injected into the tot, beach
and lagoon, areas of the pool than
anywhere else. There is a measure
of calculating practicality involved,
since hydrologytestsindicate that
these areas provide the best start-
ing points for the warm water to fan
out to the rest of the pool.
As far as the people at Langley are
concerned, their facility is an ideal
marriage between modern tech-
nology and old-fashioned leisure.
This ieisure!competition-type`facil-
ity may be the wave of the future.
I think any municipality contem-
plating a pool should think twice
before putting in just straightfor-
ward, competition -type swimming
pool;' says Davies. "They should
look seriously into putting in a
leisure -type pool. It need not neces-
sarily have a wave machine, but at
least; it should cater to the majority
of the community, rather than to the
minority."
Tom Dorman is a tree -lance writer.
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Circle 36 on the Information Request Card
37