HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 10-09-2008MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
October 9, 2008
PRESENT: Commissioners: M. Smith, G. Anderson, D. Anderson, P. Knight, N. Carroll
Staff: E. Blank, B. Abel, D. Sankey
Planning Commission Liaison: J. Davis
ABSENT: Commissioners Singer and Vanderwall, City Council Liaison: B. Stein
1. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Smith called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Ice Arena Center
Ice Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner G. Anderson and seconded by Commissioner
Knight to approve the September minutes with revisions noted. Vote: 4 Ayes. Motion
carried.
Commissioner Carroll arrived after approval of minutes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None
b. Total Energy Concepts. Bill Abel introduced Jeff Peterson from Total Energy
Concepts who spoke on energy updates to the ice arena. Jeff explained how his
company installed a power protection and energy optimization system, and they
guarantee a 15% savings. Abel pointed out that the panels guard against electrical
surges, which in turn makes the light bulbs and motors last longer. Commissioner
Smith asked how the usage is monitored. Peterson said his company compiles the
statistics and produces reports. Abel said that the refrigeration equipment is using
this system, and they expect a 3-4 year payback. Peterson explained that this
facility has been certified as green because of the upgrades. He presented a plaque
and stickers to put on the door to publicize this certification. Commissioner Smith
asked whether this green certification involves other organizations. Peterson said it
is a tech certification for now, but they are working towards LEED and Energy Star
certifications.
b. Staff: Director Blank spoke on Plymouth on Parade, which was held last Saturday.
The parade consisted of 105 units, with an estimated crowd of 5300. On Tuesday,
the annual Volunteer Recognition Event took place with an attendance of 273
volunteers. The contract for the artwork for the Millennium Garden is on the Council
agenda for October 28. We hope to have it installed prior to April 25 2009, since the
garden opens May 1 for weddings. Coming up is the Little Costume Ball on October
17, Halloween at the Creek on October 31, the Lower Level for teens on October
24, Art Camp, Prokart Racing, and several other programs. The dome goes up on
October 21 and will open 5-6 days later. Staff is now working on the winter
brochure, which goes out in November.
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4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a. None.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Update — Zachary Park Building : Blank explained that the project got hung up by
permitting from the County Health Department, but we now have the permit. A
ground -breaking ceremony will be held at 3:00 tomorrow afternoon. We expect to
begin digging for footings next week. The building should be enclosed by
Thanksgiving.
b. Update — West Medicine Lake: Blank said that this project went before the
Planning Commission for site plan approval. Residents were there who did not want
any building or thought that it was too big. The commission voted 6-0 to approve
because it met all ordinance guidelines. Blank said that we are still concerned with
the residents and their feelings. Engineering is planning a project with three water
quality ponds. We will hold a joint meeting with presentations on both projects,
probably on November 6 starting at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Davis asked if Blank
anticipates any changes in the plan. Blank said he did not; the meeting was just for
information. The next step would be to put it on the Council agenda. Commissioner
Smith asked about the construction start date. Blank said it depends on how it plays
out, but he would like to start yet this fall if possible.
c. Approve Capital Improvement Program 2009-2013
Blank explained that the Council held their study session on the Capital
Improvement Program. They changed the East Side Skate Park to 2011. The next
step is for it to go to the Planning Commission to have a public hearing. Then it
goes back to the Council.
COMMISSIONER D. ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CHANGES AND
FORWARD THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER SMITH SECONDED. 5 Ayes. MOTION
APPROVED.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review Ice Center Operations — Bill Abel Blank introduced Bill Abel, the Ice
Arena Manager. Bill came from the City of Wilmar, where he ran a tremendous ice
rink operation there. He came to us when we were in the middle of the design
process for the facility and was able to suggest several valuable changes. Abel
explained that the Ice Center is the hockey home of Wayzata High School,
Providence Academy, and Armstrong High School. It is also home for Wayzata
Youth Hockey Association, which has 1480 kids — the largest in the U.S. Because of
the size of the facility, it is not crowded even when there are many events, and
visitors feel comfortable here. We recently hosted the America's Cup Speed
Skating event, which featured premier speed skaters from all over the country.
Many Olympic athletes were here, including the top relay team, although Apollo
Ono did not make it. The event was hosted by the Plymouth Wayzata Speed
Skating club. In four years, they have grown from 12 to 58 members.
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The Center Ice Room seats 175, and the Blue Line Room seats 39. Parent and
Board meetings are held here almost every night. The Booster clubs hang out in the
Center Ice Room during the games. In the lower level, there are 16 locker rooms
and a figure skating room with mirrors and ballet bars.
The concession stand gross sales are over $100,000, with a net of about 50%.
Commissioner Smith asked if volunteers work at the stand. Abel said no, it is all
employees. The concession stands at other facilities that are run by volunteers
generally do not do as well. Advertising helps with income also. There are two
pamphlet boards, TV sets in the lobbies that feature half advertising / half locker
room schedule, and of course dasher boards. Commissioner Carroll asked how
much advertising brings in. Abel said about $36,000 average per year. Advertising
on the zambonies was sold to Denny Hecker for $30,000 for 5 years. Commissioner
D. Anderson asked who handles the advertising. Able said the staff does.
Commissioner D. Anderson asked about the price of dasher board advertising. Abel
said it goes for $700 per year or three years for $1800. Able said the arena often
opens as early as 5:30 am and closes at midnight many nights. The facility is
generally open seven days a week, and it is closed on a few holidays.
Because of adding the third sheet of ice, we have started getting the largest
tournaments. The Minnesota Super Series runs Thursday through Sunday on all
three sheets. We gross $13,000 in concessions during those tournaments. The
returning tournaments have been growing larger, too. Local restaurants want
schedules of games and tournaments because of the increased business they
experience. During the Super Series, they double or triple their business. It is
estimated that $85,000 goes to local community businesses, including hotels and
restaurants.
Open skating is held four times per week, with an average of 150 skaters right now
and over 200 during the busiest time. Learn to Skate School starts with age 3.
There are 360 children currently in classes. The program is starting to grow again.
Blank mentioned that the original building cost $8 million to build. Adding the third
sheet cost $5.3 million. Lifetime cost about $8 million. There is a total of about
200,000 square feet. We have a 40 -year agreement with Lifetime. We wanted the
architecture to look seamless in case we ever come to own their facility. Women
rave about how clean our bathrooms are. The goal is to be the cleanest ice arena in
the country. We also take pride in the quality of the ice. The budget is $1.4 million.
Revenues have exceeded our expenses. We have put away a half million dollars to
be used for improvements and replacements. $154,000 debt payment is made each
year on the third sheet. On the 20 -year horizon, the amount of kids in the area will
probably decrease. We are set up to accommodate this with staffing. Commissioner
Knight asked about the cost of ice time. Blank said it is $170, but we will be
recommending a $10 increase as of April 1 of next year. This would generate about
35,000. Commissioner Carroll asked about the reserve fund. Blank said we have
spent $400,000 on upgrading the building. Staff reviews this often. Things have a
life expectancy and need to be replaced. Council by resolution said the facility must
pay for itself. Two years ago, Wayzata Hockey pledged a $725,000 donation. They
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Page 4
have surcharged people to pay this off. We delayed a rate increase one year longer
in order to help them. We must go through with it now. Able said going to $180
would be right in line with other rinks in the area. Lifetime attendance is 1 million per
year. The Ice Arena is over 400,000 per year. This is the busiest facility in the park
system. Hockey people pay their way and expect a good product. Commissioner G.
Anderson asked which sheet they would shut down if necessary. Able said the B
rink could easily be taken down because of its concrete floor. It can go up again in
three days. We could hold events such as roller hockey, indoor soccer, a car or boat
show. The summer ice rate is $155. We do earn better revenue if we keep the ice
up.
b. Approve outdoor skating rink plan
Blank explained that this plan could change if people started wanting more outside
ice time. We would like to cut down this year from 11 to nine rinks and gradually
over five years cut down to six. This is strictly because of usage, not budget. We will
keep open whatever Wayzata Hockey needs for their mite program. Boards need to
be replaced. A concrete base would require more capital, but it would provide better
rink use year round. Blank said nobody is using the Plymouth Middle School rink.
We had left it open for phy ed classes, but they aren't using it anymore either.
COMMISSIONER SMITH ENTERTAINED A MOTION TO ENDORSE THE LONG
RANGE SKATING RINK PLAN. COMMISSIONER KNIGHT MOVED TO
ENDORSE. COMMISSIONER SMITH SECONDED. 4 Ayes. MOTION APPROVED.
c. Select name for neighborhood park
Blank said that staff liked all the suggested names but preferred Legacy Greenway
Park. Commissioner Knight asked for the rationale. Blank explained that the
development is Legacy Park and it is along the Northwest Greenway. It will probably
make good sense to the park's neighbors.
COMMISSIONER CARROLL MOVED TO NAME THE PARK LEGACY
GREENWAY PARK. COMMISSIONER G. ANDERSON SECONDED. 4 Ayes.
MOTION APPROVED.
d. Review Hilde plans
Blank said the Hilde plans were presented to the Council at their work session to
bring them up to date. Right now, the estimated cost is $3.3 million, with $1 million
for the first phase. The Council was very excited about it and wants to bid the whole
thing as a base bid with alternates. Staff met with the consultant on how to do this.
The consultants are putting together a proposal. We need to find out what the
design cost will be. We will bring the proposal to the Council to see how they want
to proceed. No work on the project can start until after Music in Plymouth. Any work
must then be completed before the following Music in Plymouth. If the Council
wishes to proceed, the project would be bid next spring.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION:
00
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8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Blank mentioned that the Woodland Trails Neighborhood Park has been seeded, and
we will hold a grand opening in the spring. Commissioner G. Anderson asked about a
grand opening for Legacy Greenway Park. Blank said it would also be in the spring.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Smith entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by
Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Knight. Vote: 4 Ayes.
MOTION approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on November 13, 2008 in the Council Chambers.
Donna Sankey — PRAC recorder