Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting July 14, 2016 6:00pm Present: Susie Chandler David Akard Karen Combs Sherry Willinger Cade Ownby Absent: Jason Booher Robby Johnson Randy Frye Chris Connally Staff: Terry Napier April Norris I. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by David Akard at 6:19 pm. II. Approval of May 12, 2016 Minutes – Karen Combs made the motion to approve the minutes. Sherry Willinger seconded the motion. All in favor, motion passes. III. Old Business A. Review of Nature Center Expansion- Terry shared the Nature Center Renderings and gave an overview of the layout. The Friends of Steele Creek Park are applying for grant to aid with funding in addition to fundraising to reach their $300,000 goal. BurWil is on schedule and on budget. B. Addition of a Floating Dock System – The existing boat docking system will be removed and rebuilt closer to the train depot. The building in conjunction with the current boat dock will be transformed in to a research lab for the Nature Center. C. Other FY17 projects pending budget/funding approvals - All of the projects were approved in the FY 2017 budget. • Friendship Park Big Field Building Improvements – Crews will work on restoring the additional buildings in the winter months. • Concession Renovation at Fairview - This project is slated for the winter. Crews will completely gut and rebuild the concession stand. • Installation of new Batting Cage at Western- The will be completed in cooperation with Bristol TN Little League. • Installation of two Batting Cages at Rotary Field • Renovations of Haynesfield Tennis Courts- Minor repairs will be completed • Construction of a New Dog Park (Possibly at Food City Park) – The basketball courts will need to be relocated. Terry is looking at trying to move them to Fairmount School. • Improvements / Upgrades at DeFriece Park (Massengill, DeFriece Foundation) – Terry is currently working on drawings/plans with the foundation to include walking trails, bathroom facilities, a new playground and re-working the pond.  IV. New Business A. Splash Pad Progress, Opening Day Plan! – The sprayers have been set in place. Training for VacPack is taking place tomorrow July 15th and Monday work on the landscaping will start. The block and trusses for the pavilion have been set. Terry is hoping that opening day will happen sometime within the next few weeks. Patrons will be discouraged from parking in the golf course lot and a new parking area will be constructed for the Splash Pad. This new parking area will accommodate approximately 25 cars. B. ISJ Tennis Complex, Bob Helton Building and Grae Viers Championship Court dedication. (Date TBA)- The construction is almost complete. Just a few final touches on the building remain. Court #1 will be named the Grae Viers Championship Court and the tennis center building will named in dedication to Bob Helton. The dates for the dedications are yet to be determined. C. Aquatics Facility Master Plan (underway) - The study is currently underway. Meetings have been held with community stake holders to voice their questions and concerns. Various pool options have been discussed. D. Trails & Greenway Plan (Final Stage) – The plan is in the wrap-up stage. Terry advised that they are expecting to see the plan very soon. V. Staff Comments: VI. Board Comments: Karen Combs voiced her concern regarding the perception the community may have in removing the Haynesfield Pool. She ask if any thought had been given to replacing it with something else. Terry advised that he understands the concern and many different options are being looked at. Sherry Willinger reminded everyone that The Friends of Steele Creek Park fundraiser is underway. She advised that they have a table set-up at Boarder Bash and they are seeking new members. David Akers congratulated Cade Ownby on his re- appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. His also shared that he has heard great reviews of the Ida Stone Jones Tennis Complex. Terry shared that Reedy Toney, the THS Tennis coach is the Court Manager. VII. Next Meeting: A new date will be set for the September 8th meeting due to area events and members out of town. VIII. Adjourned: David Akard made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Karen Combs seconds the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm. ________________________ Terry Napier, Director