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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.arc.20190402 ASPEN RECREATION CENTER ARC Advisory Committee Meeting nd April 2, 2019 2:30pm to 4:30pm I. Call to order Board Members: Scott Writer, Karen Dillon, Sue Smedsted, Steven Buettow, Gordon Gerson, Sam Loures, Kelley Boggs Staff: Cory Vander Veen, Susan Arenella, and Erin Hutchings, Nick Nicholson, Jeff Woods, Sara Ott, Desiree Whitehead, Annie Buettow Committee member comments: Public Comments: Pickleball attendees had a presence to emphasis the growing use and desired need for increased pickleball programs and space. Staff Comments: Staff is wrapping up the organization assessment and the leadership team is looking at transition and implementation over the next few months. II. Approval of Past Minutes: III. Discussion Items:  Meet and discussion with Sara Ott 1. Scott discussed the notable moments in ARC history see document below. Scott briefly discuss the history of SPARC. Sara Ott introduced herself and the state of the City. She outlined the process for a new City Manager and some of the projects that are currently occurring within the City. 2. Scott and the committee had a discussion with Sara in regard to the current subsidy and her take on this funding source in the general fund. Sara appreciated the history and questions that the committee had for her. Sara did mention that she believes that the current subsidy is reasonable and mentioned other City’s have lower subsidy and must produce more revenue and less expense to operate. 3. Cory and Jeff discussed some of the highlights to the organizational assessment that was completed and how that affects the entire Parks, Recreation, and Culture department as a whole.  ARC Projects for 2019 1. Cory discussed the downstairs remodel, the ice garden projects and the batting cages. There was some dialog on the feasibility and community feedback for the batting cages being shut down and being evaluated for the future. IV. Updates and Progress Reports: a. Financial report i. The current revenues were discussed with the committee. Some highlights were a extra ice payment in 2018 that is showing higher revenue from 2018 vs 2019. Overall the revenue is up, and memberships are seeing an increase year over year. Staff expressed that we are keeping a very close eye on expenses to keep our subsidy in line with what has been projected. V. Action Items: VI. Next Regular meeting date and time th 1. Date May 7 2:30pm to 4:30pm at ARC BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD Moore Ranch and James E. Moore Pool The Moore Family came to Aspen in the early days and acquired parcels in and around Aspen principally for ranching and farming. The large parcel went from current Highway 82 to the north to Castle Creek to the east, Maroon Creek to the west and the base of the Aspen Highlands ski mountain (roughly shown in historic photo below in red). With time the Moore’s sold and gifted parcels such as Moore Open Space, 5Trees Subdivision, Aspen Public School District, Iselin Park (former dump), Rotary Field, and the James E Moore Public Pool (Pictured Right – 1972): Future Highlands Moore Ranch James E Moore Public Pool 1972 Iselin Field In the late 1960’s the City owned old Dump (at the current Iselin Field) was full and the new Aspen High School (opened 1966) was across the street and it was decided to build a field/park. The Aspen Valley Land Trust was instrumental in turning the dump into a park/field. Fred Iselin 1955 Iselin Field 1971 New AHS 1965 Rotary Field 1991 the Rotary Club proposes to improve the unused and unimproved area “behind the Moore Pool” and after negotiation with the City of Aspen the Rotary Club made this new field a multi-year project finally opening in 1993. HISTORY OF ASPEN RECREATION CENTER (ARC) Date Summary 1997-1998 James E Moore Pool Renovation proposed and approved – No rink, Aspen Youth Center, or large lobby proposed. 1999 Initial SPARC proposal to City: SPARC will raise the money needed to add a rink with amenities and pay for the expanded lobby required to handle the larger project. The proposal was to ADD a rink to the community, the City was to maintain and improve the Aspen Ice Garden (built in 1964) – not replace it. The team was built and the project discussed behind the scenes with City officials and possible large donors. The agreement with the City was that the rink would cost approximately $5.6mm and SPARC would endeavor to raise $8mm with a final accounting to be done after the actual costs were realized. Timing was critical because the City had move on the construction of the new pool facility. 1999 Public Vote approving $13.8mm bond including needed funds for the ARC. April 19, 2000 SPARC Formation Documents formalized and the public effort began with the Mortgridge and Lewis families pledging $3.95mm between them. July 11, 2000 Resolution 95/2000 – Preliminary City/SPARC Commitment Letter of Agreement spelling out terms and conditions to be in Final Agreement – to allow SPARC go to Donors. Proceed with the Construction of Phase 1 of the project. This was a complicated negotiation where the City was concerned that if they started building absent the full funding amount from SPARC that we would have no incentive to raise the full amount so they committed to build a part of the rink and start the project without us having pledges in the full amount. June 11, 2001 Resolution 68/ 2001 – Binding Agreement City and SPARC. “The City recognizes…that he costs will be raised by private donations, and appreciates that such donors have the right to expect that their contributions will be spent in support of a high quality facility that operates economically and efficiently.” A commitment to prioritize youth activities is memorialized in the agreement as a condition of SPARC’s efforts.  Exhibit A: Phasing costs  Exhibit B: Fund Raising status as of June 8, 2001: $4,726,819.97  Exhibit D: Establishing Naming Opportunities February 12, 2001 Ordinance 6/2001 - ARC Land Use Approval April 2003 GRAND OPENING Naming rights gifted from the Morgridge Family to a naming competition at Aspen High School. The Aspen Recreation Center (ARC) won the contest. August 13, 2003 Resolution 52 Series 2003: First Amendment to Agreement . “The City further agreed to consult in advance and on a continuing basis with SPARC on all matters relating to the use and operation of the ice arena, facility and of the Recreation Center complex.”  Two Rinks Promise  Creation of Advisory Committee and SPARC having 4 of 7 seats.  Naming Rights details March 22, 2004 Resolution 3 / 2004: Second Amendment to Agreement  Refinement of second rink agreement st May, 2005 1 Business Plan – Pros Consulting August 8, 2008 Final Payment to City from SPARC –  It was acknowledged by the City that SPARC had met it’s obligation to provide $8,000,000 to the City for expenses associated with the ARC associated with the full cost of the rink and related facilities, and a partial cost of the lobby area.  Sparc raised over $300,000 more than required and those funds were retained by SPARC to be spent on improvements or programs at the ARC.  A Portion of the excess funds was spent to remodel the LIA and operate SPARC as a 501c3 entity in Good Standing  Approximately $80,000 remains. November 3, ARC Advisory Committee Comments to City re 2010 AACP 2009 February 16, 2011 SPARC proposal to change interiors at LIA. Project completed 2014. Original concept included History timeline along mezzanine wall which was delayed to correspond with a large fund raising effort like the Field House. 2013 Field house location study approved by City Council. nd January 2015 2 ARC/Recreation Business Plan February 2016 City Council Consent to proceed with Conceptual Plan for new Fitness expansion to be added above the existing pool with dynamic views to Aspen Highlands. This plan was supported by the recently published Business Plan which included a public survey. February 27, Fitness proposal to City Council in meeting to meet the ARC 2018 Advisory Committee. Council gave us positive feedback, but no clear action to proceed. They are distracted by huge mall and City Hall projects and it appears that once again the project is getting pushed off. Summer 2018 City approves $500,000 (+/-, budget on going) for downstairs rink level remodel adding better control and more efficient with expanded flexible fitness and multi use space in partnership with Aspen junior Hockey reconfiguring locker rooms and existing workout facilities. A new NHL level locker room is being developed to attract the highest caliber skaters in the world and a home for local teams. Summary of additional achievements through ARC Advisory Committee: SPARC maintains an obligation to our original donors to assist / drive the City to be as good as they can be in providing programming, services and efficiencies in operating the ARC. We are only an “Advisory” Committee, but the City is respectful of our input. A list of goals and accomplishments:  Our aim is constant improvement. From the small programming improvements to large scale additions.  Reinforce the importance of recreation and fitness not just for our citizens but also as our “industry” and for the local economy.  We serve in part to help staff from the smallest of issues to the largest  Tried to emphasize that the Rec dept should be measured in more than “Cost Recovery” terms as this dept brings visitors here and, as importantly helps to bring them back. The Rec dept is a big part of our appeal to the outside world.  Helped bring professionalism and organization to the dept.  Helped inspire financial analysis to the process that better enabled staff to review and analyze various programs.  Brought continuity to the ARC in terms of dealing with divergent interests.  Supported programming and staff with Council.  Provided insight to staff on City grant process and recipients.  Review proposals brought by the community.  Keep all the interests in mind when reviewing proposal from others.  Interview new managers.  Provide inspiration for always getting better.  Referee disputes between individuals or user groups.  Provide insight on potential improvements.