HomeMy WebLinkAboutARC.min.02072007
In Attendance:
ABN
DRAFT
ASPEN RECREATION CENTER
ARC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
February 7,2007
Board Members: Scott Writer, Sue Smedstad, Barbara Owen,
Laura Komasiewicz, Rick Newton, Robert Christensen, and
Debbie Ware.
Staff Member(s):
Tim Anderson, Paul Kulik, Erich Grueter.
Guests:
Toni Kronberg, Darnell Langley, Peggy Behr
I. Call to Order - Scott called the meeting to order with a quorum present.
Committee Comments:
The AC discussed the need for healthy drinks in the vending machines. They
also identified that the service seemed to be less than adequate for the use this
time of year. The AC recommended the Coca Cola be removed from
providing the vending and the service be directed to our new concessionaire.
The AC feels that with a vendor on site who is responsible for the vending
machines, that we are more likely to receive prompt service and response to
patron needs.
Barbara Owen asked if the ice fees could be consistent though the user group
season. In the past staff put together an agreement with user groups stating
that new ice fees would not be implemented until April of each year,
following the end of seasons which overlapped years. Staff had changed this
direction due to a request from the finance dept for budgeting purposes, but
we see no impact if this goes back to the old method of billing. Staff will
implement this change immediately. The AC ratified this by a vote.
Staff Comments:
None
Guest Comments:
Toni Kronberg informed the AC that they were created so that the public
would have a voice and would not have to stand before Council regarding
ARC related issues. The AC should listen to the public and when they don't
this is exactly what leads to patron's displeasure according to Toni.
II. Approval of Past Minutes: Sue moved that the minutes be approved, Laura
provided a second, all approved.
III. Discussion Items:
. Darnell Langley, Ice Scheduling: Darnell along with Skating instructor
Peggy Behr requested freestyle ice time for all interested skaters. She
stated that currently you must be a member of the Aspen Skating club to
take advantage of freestyle time. Or, she suggested that we open the
skating club ice time to all interested skaters. Staff will look at the
available ice times to what might be implemented. The AC supported
public freestyle time as long as it covers its cost. The AC also asked
Darnell to come back with specific requests ifthere is something further
she needed as it was somewhat unclear as to the direction she was seeking
other than public freestyle sessions.
Laura suggested that the Recreation Dept. or the Skating club go through
the Thrift Shop or the Elks in obtaining scholarship funds for skater who
may be having trouble affording the club costs.
. Outdoor Pool Deign/ARC Improvement Plan: Staff updated the AC as to
the turnout to the public meetings held regarding the ARC improvements.
The turnout was indeed very disappointing, but at the same time the
message from the people who did attend were consistent with what staff
had obtained from outreach to various user groups, and 50 or more
comment cards received due to the display in the ARC lobby.
The AC agreed to move the next meeting date to the 7'h of March at
5:30pm here at the ARC as opposed to City Hall to try and promote more
input from users.
The plan for March in is to come away with a preferred alternative which
would be presented to City Council. Staff feels that the majority of
outdoor pool design suggestions from the public can be accomplished to
some extent. Staff will focus more on the ARC Improvement Plan at the
March 7'h meeting as well. A new presentation will be set up in the ARC
lobby to prompt feedback from users. The expansion of a fitness area
seems to be the primary concern of most patrons. Staff is going to move
forward with surveys of users to identify how many people may have left
private clubs to join Recreation Division prograrnming. This should assist
in some way of know why our fitness programs are growing and if we are
seeing a migration of patrons from private clubs. The AC has identified
that the ARC supports affordability and availability to the local
community.
There was a discussion about closing the open area on the entry level of
the ARC next to the current fitness room. This would allow for expansion
of space in the upper lobby. This will be discussed further in design
meetings.
Toni Kronberg spoke to the AC at this point regarding the fact that there
will be a new Council in 90 days and that if people want fitness the
Council should listen to them and provide it. Toni wished to also discuss
the expansion of the skateboard park and suggested that a pool in this area
be considered as well. Toni wanted to make sure we considered staging
area for the swim team in the outdoor pool design. She would like to see
us take out the large doors leading to the exterior of the pool area and
counect the indoor pools with the outdoor pool being designed. Toni
stated that she had a donor who would like to help out with the March 7th
public meeting. Scott directed her to work with staff regarding the public
meeting.
. Business Plan Update: A memo was distributed to the AC
reviewing the Business Plan and progress to date on meeting the goals.
The memo is being attached to these minutes for reference. In general the
Recreation Division is meeting most of the Business Plan
recommendations to some extent. While the operational subsidy is greater
than recommended by the plan, it is satisfactory to City Council. At the
same time the recommendation of the BP is that the ARC be in a 50% to
72% cost recovery range and the ARC is operating at a 60% cost recovery.
The Capital Improvement Plan was the last item to get started on in the BP
and that is now being acted upon through the ARC outdoor pools and
Improvement Plan.
. Hockey Locker Room Damage: Staff and junior hockey have
addressed this issue and feel that education through a partnership with the
kids and the coaches, along with continuing education as to the fact that
this is your (the kids) locker room, take pride in it, and additional signage
should move users in the right direction with this concern.
. Ice Organizational Audit: Staff is bringing in an outside ice consultant
to evaluate the ice operations in Aspen. The consultant will look at
scheduling of ice, progranuning, the organizational chart, ice pricing, and
general operations and how they are handled. Recommendations will be
forthcoming and discussed with the AC.
IV. Updates:
. Energy Audit: This program is still moving forward with some
design issue to be worked out. Staff hopes to present a contract for
construction in March.
. Building Rentals: Staff informed the AC that the February 24th
event scheduled for the ARC had been cancelled. While the AC
supports large events at the ARC as it is good for the community
and the are revenue stream, staff found certain fatal flaws which
could not be answered in the presentation of such large events (i.e.
concerts on the ice). It was identified that users need to contact the
ARC in a reasonable advanced period so that all issues may be
worked out to the satisfaction of all parties. Also, it seems that
some modifications may need to be implemented at the ARC for
the safety of these events and assure the facility will not be damage
and taken off line for any period. It was suggested by the AC that
the following take place to better serve events:
1. A check list be provided to the Event, so they are clear as to
what is available and what needs to be provided.
2. The check list should identify what the expectations are
from the City.
3. Staff should research what infrastructure needs to be in
place to handle these events.
. Deputy Director: The Recreation Division will be hosting
interviews for the Deputy Director position on the 23'd of
February. Staff would like one AC member to assist with
interviews.
. BUNZ Concession Contact: the contract for a new concession
operator was provide to the AC for discussion. The AC in general
was pleased with the contract and the direction staff was taking.
The AC did ask that a good line of communication be set up
between user groups and the operator such that this operation
complements the programs, events, and tournaments being hosted
by user groups.
. Locker Room Renovation: In trying to plan for additional
progranuning space at the ARC, staff presented a plan to the AC
which reallocated space in the Aspen team locker room to
allocated to a multi-purpose space. Plenty of available locker
space would remain available to local youth, while creating
additional programming space in the ARC. The AC approved the
move to reallocate the space for programming, as it could revert
back to locker room space if needed in the future. The AC asked
for a list of programs which would be implemented in this space
and anticipated revenues to be generated.
V. Action Item(s):
VI. Other Business:
I. The AC thanked the City for the Berko Calendars.
The committee was adjourned and will meet again on February 7, 2007.
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