Recreation & Arena Advisory Commission

Recreation & Arena Commission Meeting February 9, 2026 Recreation Conference Room 1 Attendance: Lauren Krans; Steve Trepanier, Sheila Colson, Dave Colson, Rhi Jeffrey, Kevin Barry, Kevin Sullivan; Dale Bickford, Seph Warren, David Camire; Kelli Campbell 1. Public Input No public input 2. Introduction of Commission Members Welcome new members Kelli Campbell and Kevin Sullivan 3. Review January Minutes Dave Colson motioned to accept. Dave Camire seconded. Unanimous support. DR AF T 4. Review Revenue & Expense Reports Dale Bickford motioned to accept. Dave Camire seconded. Unanimous support. 5. Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Process Update Director Krans gave an update on the FY27 Budget Planning Process. Her and Assistant Director Trepanier are meeting with the City Manager and Finance Director next week to review their proposed Recreation and Arena Operating and Maintenance budgets. Director Krans explained that the department will be requesting three Issues and Options including making the Senior Services Coordinator Full time, and additional funding for pool equipment/chemicals and forest maintenance at Squamanagonic park.  Director Krans gave a summary of the January 24th Capital Improvement Project Committee meeting. She reviewed the committee’s grading of the department’s proposed FY27 projects and indicated that the entire meeting video is available on the city’s website. The three department CIPs were graded as follows: Recreation Vehicle Program was graded as Necessary, Zamboni Battery graded as “non-CIP” as it is an operating cost, Arena Safe Roof System graded as essential. Recreation facility projects managed by the Department of Public Works were graded as follows: Swimming Pool Assessment essential and Tennis Court Structural Evaluation essential. 6. Rochester Arena Facility Exploration Update Director Krans explained that the consensus of the Public Works Committee was to DR AF T investigate Concept 3, a new building on a new site. She has begun to research what new site requirements would be as well as exploring open parcels of city owned land. She encouraged commission members to tap into their networks of community members to see what land may be available in the City. The current arena sits on 5.7 acres of land. Director Krans stated she estimates 15 acres would be the starting point for a new facility, with the size needs increasing if there was a desire to have additional space for planning of additional recreational facilities as indicated in the Master Plan. 7. Department High Volume Event Operations Director Krans shared that the department has been working with the school and school boosters to track occupancy at high volume events at the Arena. The same  process will be implemented at the Community Center for high volume basketball games and other events. 8. Review March Meeting Date Sheila Colson shared that the next Recreation & Arena Commission meeting is scheduled for the evening of the NHIAA playoff games. Unanimous support to cancel the March meeting. 9. Other Lilac Family Fest will be on July 11, 2026. Inclusive playground RFP has been posted. T AF DR Senior Services Coordinator Michelle Breslin is looking for Celebrity callers for Senior Bingo. Next Meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 6:00pm – Conference Room 1 at the Community Center.