Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 27, 2025 The meeting was called to order by Joe Boll at 6:30 p.m. Present at roll call: Carly Winslow, Joe Boll, Scott Heinberg, Jill Ringen and Ken Staver. Excused Absence: Doug Lindstrom, Rayna O’Brien Also present: Irene Kendall, Mary Kurth, Patricia Lawson, Diane Lund, Diane Zywicki, Wade Berget, Danni Havens, Dave Roelli, John Sonsalla and Kim Winslow. Motion by Staver, seconded by Winslow, the meeting notice and agenda were properly posted. Voice vote. Motion carried. Motion by Ringen, seconded by Staver, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as presented. Voice vote. Motion carried. Reports, comments, suggestions, and recommendations from citizens present: Balance Sheet, Revenue, and Expenditure Financial statements through July 30, 2025, were included in the agenda packet. Danni Havens – Wellness Center Director, gave a brief report of what she has been working on, and items she will be bringing before the next Park & Recreation Commission. Under unfinished or deferred business from the previous committee meeting: None Under new business or matters to be taken up by the committee: Discussion only was held regarding a new Splashpad project in Darlington. The City of Darlington has been awarded a $250,000 Outdoor Recreation Aids matching grant from the State of Wisconsin DNR and U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service. The new splashpad will be constructed where the current baby pool sits now. The City hopes to begin demolition this fall, with new construction taking place Spring of 2026. Discussion and possible action were held regarding Pickleball gymnasium usage and gym usage fee. Five players who play pickleball in the Municipal Building gymnasium attended the meeting. After a discussion between the Committee and the pickleball players, a motion was made by Winslow, seconded by Heinberg to make a recommendation to the City Council, beginning September 1st the pickleball group will pay the City $50 each month, along with collecting a nominal fee from any “drop-in players”. The City will also continue to maintain and provide nets for the group, but the pickleball group will purchase and provide their own balls and paddles. Diane Zywicki will be the contact person for the group. Voice vote. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action were held regarding Open Walking Hours in the Municipal Building gymnasium for the public. In the past, Open Walking Hours have been advertised as 5am-8am November-April. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Winslow, seconded by Ringen, to change the Open Walking Hours in the gymnasium 5am-8am all year round, open to the public, you do not need to be a Wellness Center Member. Voice vote. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action were held regarding the purchase of one (1) Recumbent Bicycle for the Wellness Center. Two bids were received: #1 – Johnson Fitness & Wellness = $2,150.00 (delivery & assembly for both bicycles = $535.00) #2 – Summit Commercial Fitness = $2,095.00 (delivery & assembly for both bicycles = $300.00) Discussion was held regarding one bid having a “5 year parts/electronics + 2 years labor” warranty listed for the equipment, while the other bid stated the equipment was “refurbished”. Danni stated the bicycles listed as “refurbished” were ‘display models’. A motion was made by Winslow, seconded by Staver, to approve the bid from Summit Commercial Fitness in the amount of $2,095.00 + $300 delivery & assembly fee, with the agreement Danni speaks to Summit Commercial Fitness to get a comparable warranty on the equipment. Voice vote. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action were held regarding the purchase of one (1) Upright Bicycle for the Wellness Center. Two bids were received: #1 – Johnson Fitness & Wellness = $1,625.00 (delivery & assembly for both bicycles = $535.00) #2 – Summit Commercial Fitness = $1,595.00 (delivery & assembly for both bicycles = $300.00) The same discussion was held regarding one bid having a warranty listed for the equipment, while the other bid stated the equipment was “refurbished”. The “refurbished” bicycle is a ‘display model’. A motion was made by Winslow, seconded by Staver, to go with the bid from Summit Commercial Fitness in the amount of $1,595.00 + $300 delivery & assembly fee, with the agreement Danni speaks to Summit Commercial Fitness to get a comparable warranty on the equipment. Voice vote. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action were held regarding changing the Wellness Center hours. Wellness Center Director – Danni Havens, informed the committee she has received many requests from current members to change the Wellness Center hours to a 24-hour facility. Due to work shifts, it is easier for some members to work out during the overnight hours. After a discussion, a motion was made by Winslow, seconded by Heinberg, to make a recommendation to the City Council to change the hours of the Wellness Center for a trial period September 2nd to December 31st. The new hours will be: open 24 hours on Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Wellness Center hours will be 5am-10pm. Voice vote. Motion carried. Discussion only was held regarding the purchase of a sunshade to go over bleachers at the City Ball Field, using the remaining funds from the City Ball Field Renovation Project. This item was tabled to the next scheduled meeting. Discussion only was held regarding how the summer help went this year, and possible ideas for next year. Motion by Ringen, seconded by Heinberg, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52pm. Voice vote. Motion carried. CITY OF DARLINGTON Kim Winslow, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer