05/24/2004
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PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 24, 2004
Present:
James Appelt
Tom Fletcher
Steve Swanberg
J onathan Wade
Allen Weatherilt
Sarah Wiand
Board Member
Vice Chair
Board Member
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Marsha Beall
Melanie Cornwell
Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Staff Assistant
Public Information Coordinator
Absent:
Ron Whitcomb
Board Member
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm at Jack Russell Stadium.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in
that order.
ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of April 26. 2004 -
Minutes were approved as submitted to members.
ITEM #2 - Correspondence - None
ITEM #3 - Old Business-
a) Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
. Long Center - Consultants have been hired to prepare construction drawings to
improve staff spaces, the fitness center and the aquatic area.
· Ross Norton Complex - The survey layout is complete. Footers and blockwallare
being installed. Current issue is the shortage of cement.
· E.C. Moore 8 & 9 - Phase 1 of project completed. Some aesthetic work left to
complete around the trees.
· Joe DiMaggio - Second appraisal on the property is being completed. Exploring
directions for the future of the staff and building.
· McMullen Booth Pedestrian Bridge - Bid was accepted at City Council on May 20.
Work should take 1 year.
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. Pinellas County - Mr. Dunbar is meeting with the county on May 26 in an attempt to
provide the county participation in the McMullen complex multipurpose project.
Currently they are not agreeable to fund the level necessary to do the project. Mr.
Appelt proposed having the Pinellas Assembly and Task Force speak to the City
Councilmembers.
ITEM #4 New Business -
a) Ms. Wiand had a question brought to her regarding the plans for the Big Bennett Triangle
currently being used to stage materials for a drainage improvement project. This site
will be restored at the conclusion of project. It was suggested to her that an exercise area
could be designed for community use in that area. Ms. Cornwell stated being aware of the
request.
b) Tour of Jack Russell Stadium- Randy Holland and Roy Silver, the key people of the Winning
Inning, moved into their new home at Jack Russell Stadium on February 20, 2004. Staff in
attendance included Leo Milcowitz, Board of Directors and Rodney Suratt, Media Relations.
Since their arrival they have added covered outside and indoor batting cages, a media room,
upgraded the weight room and offices. The facility will house a local physical therapy
company, a full weight training room for baseball/softball training and conditioning, and a
full sports equipment retail store. It will offer a wide variety of programs from instructional
clinics, private and group instruction, coaching clinics, day camps, and more. The goal of the
Winning Innings team is to provide a positive image in assisting the youth of our
communities throughout Pinellas County with a strong emphasis on the inner city and in
disadvantaged areas.
Recently launched is an Elite Team Program consisting of 20 high school players touring
Florida playing more than 30 competitive games with the States best baseball players.
Summer 2004, the Extra Innings Youth Foundation teams up with the City of Clearwater and
local recreational centers to host the first Clearwater inner city youth baseball league.
The Winning Inning website is www.winninginning.com.
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. ITEM #5 Adiournment - Members adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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The next meeting will be June 28 at MSB.
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Staff Assis
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