10/28/2002CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
October 28, 2002
Present: Sarah Wiand Chair
Jonathan Wade Sr. Vice Chair
Kim Cashman Board Member
Larry Lindner Board Member
Thomas Fletcher Board Member
Steve Swanberg Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Steve Miller Recreation Programming Superintendent
Leroy Chin Parks, Planning and Projects Manager
Melanie Cornwell Public Information Coordinator
Kathy LaTerza Recreation Program Coordinator
Karen Sowada Recreation Supervisor
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: James Appelt Board Member
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 Call to Order – Vice Chair Wade called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at North Greenwood Recreation/Aquatic Complex, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
Not on the Agenda -- Citizen Ms. Jani Morris of Clearwater expressed her concern about the redirection of Kings Highway Recreation Center to a Cultural Arts Center. She was concerned
that the community was not notified of the closing of the center, and asked where children of that area would go for similar recreation, especially a game room. She said Martin Luther
King Jr. Center was full, and the new North Greenwood site was too far away. She said 75 to 100 children are affected.
Mr. Dunbar said the center is not closing. Kings Highway will still be a City facility, staffed by City personnel, with a focus on cultural arts. The playground will still be there.
An after-school program is available at Kings Highway School next door. Video games will be transferred to the Teen Room at North Greenwood.
Mr. Swanberg suggested the nearby church could provide van or bus service and bring children to North Greenwood.
Mr. Miller said there was no public hearing because the center is not being outsourced such as Wood Valley. Kings Highway will be operated by the Recreation Programming section, and
the playground will remain open and supervised by interns. Inside the center, programs will be structured, some fee-based. Scholarships will be available following guidelines established
by Pinellas County Schools for subsidized school lunch program, the same as other City programs. Ruth Eckerd Hall is expected to provide input to programming. In response to a question,
Mr. Miller said cultural arts programs consist of performing and visual arts and hand crafts. Mr. Miller said cultural arts staff will contact Ms. Morris to inform her of plans and
ask her to serve on a program committee.
ITEM #2 Overview and Tour of North Greenwood Recreation/Aquatic Complex -- Mr. Dunbar noted the new center, at 28,200 square feet with three pools, represents the trend away from small
neighborhood centers. The center is a regional facility serving all of northwest Clearwater, offering eight to 10 activities simultaneously. It is a family center where "hanging out"
will not be tolerated, he said. It will operate on a half-million dollar budget with
no impact to City budget. A $4.5 construction budget was augmented by grants. Grand opening is January 4, with soft opening during the holidays when no fees will be charged. Pools will
not be open until spring.
Mr. Chin said there are 107 parking spaces, including grass, plus parking at the Library and Jack Russell Stadium.
Ms. LaTerza said a medical clinic has contacted her about a possible partnership with the center.
ITEM #3 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of September 23, 2002 – Motion to approve was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 Correspondence – None
ITEM #5 Old Business
Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
Community Sports Complex - Site work starts next week; target opening is January 2004.
Skate Park - Discussions ongoing with college; alternative location being considered.
Allen’s Creek Park (Maple Swamp) – Playground receiving positive reaction.
Ross Norton Complex - $2.7 million available; have applied for State grant. Design committee has begun work.
Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – Public Works Administration will acquire golf course; Parks and Recreation will add recreation elements, two soccer fields, trail head facilities.
Light Repair and Replacement - Member Lindner remarked the tennis courts at Clearwater High School are not easily accessible. Since the site is a partnership, staff will investigate.
Recreation Trails: McMullen-Booth Pedestrian Bridge, Clearwater East-West Trail - Completion expected next year.
Crest Lake Dog Park - Construction under way. Also, near Crest Lake Park, City has taken ownership of Park Late Motel and is expected to have buildings removed by Thanksgiving.
Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar pointed out November events begin with the Verizon Music Festival on November 2 at Coachman Park featuring Al Jarreau and end with the Turkey
Trot at Clearwater High School on Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Wade complimented Mr. Dunbar and staff for hosting successful events during the NRPA Congress. Mr. Dunbar said feedback from NRPA members has been outstanding.
ITEM #6 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Next meeting is November 25 at Municipal Services Building Conference Room 130.