HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.ARC.20241203.Regular
Aspen Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes:
March 5, 2024
Call to order: 12:00 pm by Erin
In Attendance:
Harlan Pratt Committee Member
Karen Dillon Committee Member
Tony Greene, Committee Member
Michaela Idhammar, Committee Member
Ryan Doremus Committee Member Chair
Karen Dillon Committee Member Vice Chair
Candace Cross Committee Member
Erin Hutchings, Recreation Operations Manager and Committee liaison
Desiree Whitehead Recreation Manger
Jay Slater Recreation Operations Manager
Absent:
Steve Buettow Committee Members
Public Comments: None
Committee Comments: None
Staff Comments: None
Agenda Approval: Approved with modification
Meeting Minute Approval: For June Michaela Moved, Harlan 2nd, all in favor
Discussion items:
Community Survey and Fitness Updates: What are the plans from the desired increase of group
fitness opportunities from the business plan? The team has created an outdoor summer series
program to add additional opportunities for fitness classes. Space continues to be an issue for
offering classes that can accommodate lots of people.
Aspen Skating Competition: The Aspen Skating Club is hosting its annual competition weekend
bringing in hundreds of people from all around the country. This competition, like all of our
competitions, sparks a desire to keep track of the impact on the local economy and work with ACRA
on a gold star program when business get recognized for supporting our local clubs and kids
endeavors.
Pickleball: Pickleball courts have already shown some cracking. The construction team will come in
and repair any issues that occur over the winter. The courts will not be shoveled off or usable until
the spring. The committee will help support the selection of the new pickleball operator. Discussion
on use of the ice garden again in the summer, and the feeling was everyone will go outside to the new
courts, not a necessary program to continue.
Master Plan and Public Private Partnership: The is a group of citizens that are very interested in
developing recreational facilities. Field House, Ice Rink, fitness, and outdoor pools and would like to
pursue a private-public partnership.
Silk Airel AYC: The Aspen Youth Center will be adding some new silks to the gym for some new
programming.
Program, Project, and Facility Updates: The Aspen Ice Garden will be going under some major
repairs starting in April. A new cooling tower and lots of work on the refrigeration plant. Ice is
getting a new Zamboni in 2025. (May be an opportunity to let our local kids come up with colors or
a wrap design) We will begin recruitment for the Ice Facilities Supervisor in January.
Water polo has returned with some new energy and enthusiasm. The program last occurred in March
of 2020. Learn to Skate with our local preschools has been a really fun addition to the ice schedule.
Cosmic skating on Wednesday has been very popular and helped mitigate some of the early release
pressure in the facility.
The Aspen Gay Ski Week closing party is coming up on January 18th. High School Hockey and
Swimming are going with the first hockey game occurring December 13th. The winter pass is on sale
now.
Basketball changes from winter to fall have played an effect of gym usage or lack of gym usage. The
team has had to get creative with coordination of day camp and youth programs due to gym space
availability.
Santa Day will be December 21st
Financial:
The current recovery rate is 40%. The current trend of revenue is looking positive. Expenditure on
labor rose steeply this year. The council set a three-year subsidy goal of 50%. This goal shows an
increase in fees of 8% over the next three years.
Action Items:
Reach out to ACRA about a star program
Meeting with facility group
Next Regular Meeting:
March 4th, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm