04-07-2016 Parks & Rec minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION April 7, 2016 FUTURE PROJECTS DISCUSSION WITH JON JORIMAN, LCRA PRESIDENT Horwath was excited to hear of these opportunities and shared his willingness to help the Director or Recreation Supervisor implement the bicycle ideas. Jon Joriman, the Little Canada Recreation Association (LCRA) President, addressed the commission in regards to a number of ideas generated by LCRA members for the City to consider. He explained the ideas were focused on Little Canada’s youth, which is the mission of the association. These ideas were compiled by Joriman over the last year from various members’ input at monthly meetings. He continued that the LCRA has ideas and funds, but lacks the wherewithal to implement large scale projects. Joriman explained the LCRA would stand behind the implementation of these projects especially if they serve the youth of the community. The ideas are as follows in no particular order. • New boards for the skating rink at the Old Fire Hall. • Enclose the batting cage at Pioneer Park to create a batting cage that can be used year round. • Create a lacrosse field at Pioneer Park which could be a part of the soccer field, but would need movable nets and appropriate line markings. • Resurface Gilbertson Field. • Build dugouts for Pioneer Park to extend the season. • Build a gigi ball court. • Put motion lights in the skatepark. • Remodel the Old Fire Hall. • Build a community meeting space, or small scale community center. Chair Miller asked the Director if any of these ideas were on the City’s agenda. The Director indicated none of these projects had plans of funding currently. Chair Miller asked the group to rank these ideas for the next meeting so they could begin to think about what would be needed to implement these projects and possibly recommend some of them to the City Council. Horwath asked about how a lacrosse field differs from a soccer field. Joriman stated the field size is the same, but the nets are moved in to allow movement behind them. He explained since there is a lot of activity at the nets, the grass is often bare at the end of the season. Joriman wondered if one of the baseball fields could be converted to a lacrosse field since he recognized baseball and softball numbers are declining. He noted Woodbury has converted several baseball fields to lacrosse fields. Horwath thought it would be good to have a dedicated area for lacrosse or soccer at Pioneer Park. The Director explained there is a soccer field with lights at Pioneer Park on the north side near Centerville Road. He also indicated the existing softball fields were left open in the outfields for a possible mixed use opportunity in the future. The Director asked if there were different sized fields for different ages. Joriman stated there was, but he was unsure of the dimensions. He also explained the nets