12-02-2019 Parks_Rec Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Parks & Recreation Commission FROM: Bryce Shearen, Parks & Recreation Community Services Manager DATE: December 5, 2019 RE: Pioneer Park Planning ACTION REQUESTED Motion to add a community building to the Pioneer Park planning and concept design process. BACKGROUND As we begin to implement projects and plans from the approved Parks Master Plan (2018), staff is now working on the next steps for Pioneer Park and narrowing the scope for future enhancements. While the overall Parks Master Plan offers general guidance, it was intended that a more comprehensive plan would be completed for Pioneer Park that included key items to consider, cost estimates, and funding sources. Since the Master Plan was completed, the City has gone through a Strategic Planning process. The strategic plan identified four strategic directions, with one of the strategic directions as Enhancing Identity and Empowering Community. Within that strategic direction was the vision to have a flexible gathering space(s) for the community. Additional smaller gathering spaces, such as picnic shelters were identified as enhancements in Pioneer Park concept design, but a larger community building was not identified in that design. After researching and gathering information, a community building that has approximately 3,500 – 4,500 square feet of space and would accommodate 125-150 people would be desirable in the Little Canada community. The building could be utilized for multiple different and flexible uses and needs. The building could be used as a rental space for the community (receptions, meetings, parties, family gatherings, etc.), and would also provide a space for current and additional recreational programming that the City offers or could be offering. Another benefit would be a larger gathering space for community events. For example, Cookies with Santa is held in the City Hall Council Chambers. Space is already at a premium and as the event continues to expand there is not any additional room to help with the growing number of participants. One piece of information to note, as staff spoke with surrounding communities that have recently added a large community building, they have found that the rentals have exceeded their initial estimates and having a large gathering space has been well received by their building users. As staff started to identify potential locations within the City for a community building, Pioneer Park seemed to be a location that should be explored further. Pioneer Park offers a large amount