Recreation Advisory Board

Recreation Advisory Board Meeting July 18, 2018 Draft Minutes Present: Jeff Blinderman, Ray Stewart, Julie Cagle, Stephanie Burnham, Cheryl Hancin, Lee-Ann Gomes. Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm and minutes of the May 16th, 2018 meeting were approved. Old Business: Program Review-Summer...Cheryl reported that there were between 50 and 72 kids each week in the summer camp program. The Rec had been granted $10,000 scholarship funding from the Community Foundation and many families accessed those funds to attend. (Julie is concerned that camp is not offered for junior high school kids and we discussed bringing back the CIT program). The Fun runs in the park are going well and are well attended, as is Yoga in the Park. NFA had been providing free clinics at various playgrounds throughout the City during the summer. The beach has been open daily from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and we had a high of 377 people. We are hoping to offer swim lessons, as we received at $1500 grant from Dime to do so. Jeff inquired about offering golf and Cheryl stated this had been investigated and that we will ty to offer that next summer. It was also noted that Groton Rec borrowed our motor boat for their boating programs and, in exchange, they offered 8 Norwich residents to attend their boating programs for free. New Business Program Review-Upcoming Programs...We anticipate offering a Lego Camp, a Fashion Camp, Safe Sitter course, fencing, Tai Chi, Pickle Ball, December vacation camp, and camp on professional in-service days. We hope to offer ladder style tennis leagues and will participate in Family Day and the Harry O fun run in September. In the fall, soccer and basketball will be offered again. The basketball tournament will be moved to February, so as not to conflict with other sports. Cheryl has negotiated with the Bulletin to receive 4 free inserts of 10,000 each time to broadly advertise our programs The Rec Dept. filled the position of Program Administrator by hiring Bob Kilpatrick, who has, already, contributed may new and innovative ideas. Bob is skilled at behavioral interventions. Facilities Update...We were able to re-roof both the concession stand and announcers booth at the Hamilton football field. We were awarded funding to irrigate both Ouelette and Fontaine fields. We resurfaced the tennis courts at Jenkins Park. Board adjourned at 6:48 pm Next meeting September 12th, 2018