11/06/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

• • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 6, 2002 has been telling people that they cannot use the gym because of the Parks and Recreation programs. Public Services Director DeGardner distributed a current Parks and Recreation Department facility use schedule and list of gym use only. A new policy was adopted that forced the Parks and Recreation Department to move aerobics, which had previously been at Rice Lake Elementary for ten years. A gym at Rice Lake Elementary could be made available on Thursdays if the martial arts program moved to the Centennial Middle School wrestling room. There has been a lot of frustration from the Centennial Basketball Association because some of the basketball hoops in certain gyms are not adjustable. If the School District would allow some programs to be shifted to the middle school gyms there would be more gym space for Centennial basketball. Mayor Bergeson stated the Council could not help with the scheduling of activities. He asked what staff would like the Council to do regarding this situation_ Councilmember O'Donnell stated it sounds like there are opportunities to resolve the issue if staff could facilitate a meeting with the School District:, Public Services Director DeGardner stated the School District is in charge of scheduling the activities. The Parks and Recreation Department has -reduced gym use over the past ten years. He indicated he would meet with the School District if they were willing to move some of their programs. Ms. Cathy Wyland, Centennial School- strict, stated Mr. Bernstein and Liz have been very flexible with the rescheduling of activities. The School District does not have enough gym space for everyone. Thenschool will help with this problem once it is opened. Mayor Bergeson asked for*' arifica regarding the new policy. Ms. Wyland stated a chango was made in the gym use policy that was very bad timing for the Parks and Recreation Department. The Parks and Recreation Department takes care of the maintenance in exchange for use of the facilities. The aerobics program was moved to a different school so the time could stay the same. Mayor Bergeson asked if it is possible to reconsider that decision until the new school is opened. Ms. Wyland stated the School District can do that but programs are already scheduled. Other groups are already utilizing some of that previous gym space. She stated she is working with Mr. Bernstein to find places for all the groups along with a maintenance agreement for the new school.