03-06-2006 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
March 6, 2006
Members present were: Bill Arndt and Mike Cannon. Also present were DolfMoon, September
Jacobsen, Sharon Armstrong, John McRaith and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5:21 pm.
A motion was made by Bill Arndt and seconded by Mike Cannon to approve the minutes dated
February 6, 2006. The board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
Downtown Banners - The Chamber of Commerce is promoting sponsorship of banners for
downtown and is receiving a good response from the community.
Luce Line Trail - Meetings continue regarding paving a portion of the Luce Line Trail between
Hutchinson and Winsted. The bicycling group is working with horseback riders and
snowmobilers all of whom would be using the trail. Some representatives feel the Department of
Natural Resources should manage the trail.
Public Arts - A commission was set up by the City Council to set parameters and outline
procedures for accepting gifts for the City of Hutchinson; for example statues and water
fountains. At this time, gifts are accepted without consideration of the cost of ownership such as
care and maintenance.
NEW BUSINESS
September Jacobsen, Event Center Coordinator, is responsible for the Event Center, Senior
Programming and Adaptive Recreation. September reviewed rental and attendance statistics at
the Event Center with the board. Wednesdays are becoming a popular day for business rentals.
A linen fee has been implemented to cover the cost of cleaning and replacement of the table
linens.
The number of senior citizens using the facility on a daily basis has increased. The number of
fundraising projects has grown. The Senior Board directs the funds to enhance senior
programmmg.
The Adaptive Recreation Program meets at the Event Center September through May and
accommodates approximately 100 participants from surrounding communities.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
March 6, 2006
Page Two
Sharon Armstrong, Community Education Programmer reviewed the school facilities that are
rented by user groups. A new fee schedule will be implemented in July with rates that better
reflect the cost for the use of the facilities. Rent fees collected are deposited into the School
District's general fund.
The Adult Basic Education (ABE) program meets year round at Ridgewater College. It's
designed to prepare students for their GED. Some the courses include English as a second
language, writing and social studies.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program that provides parenting skills to families
of children from birth to kindergarten age.
John McRaith, Recreation Services Coordinator, told the board that there were 134 parent
volunteer coaches in 2005. Hutchinson hosted a large number of tournaments last year with the
help of other current staff, such as Mark Weis, Maintenance Specialist at the Rec Center and
Burich Arenas and Randy Starke, Parks Maintenance. The financial impact that these
tournaments provide in the community is difficult to calculate.
John posed the following questions to the Board "Should elementary aged teams be divided by
ability or at random?" and "At what age do you stop giving equal play time in youth sports?"
Mike Cannon feels that equal play time should be provided until ih and 8th grade in basketball,
as an example.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:31 pm on a motion made by Bill Arndt, seconded by Mike
Cannon and agreed to unanimously by the board.
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