LACOMBE AND DISTRICT RECREATION,
PARKS AND CULTURE BOARD

MINUTES

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 at 4:30 P.M.

Town Office Conference Room

1.        Call To Order   Fred Knip called this meeting to order at 4:35 pm

Present: 

Fred Knip,
Karen Penrice,
Shelley Cota,
Carla Weidner,
Councillor Grant Creasey
Charlie Street,
Dylan Olsen
Sandi Stewart, Community Recreation Coordinator
Kim Bérubé, Assistant, Community Services

Regrets: 
Troy Rider

              N/A

 
3.      Additions to the Agenda:

N/A

4.      Adoption of the Agenda

MOTION:

THAT the agenda for November 17, 2010 be adopted as circulated

Moved by: Grant Creasey

Seconded by: Karen Penrice

CARRIED

5.      Adoption of Board Minutes: May_19_2010

MOTION:

THAT the minutes of the Sept 15, 2010 meeting of the Lacombe and District Recreation, Parks and Culture Board be adopted as circulated.

Moved by: Dylan Olsen

Seconded by: Carla Weidner

CARRIED

6.      Items from Council:

         6.1   Appointment Council Representative

Councillor Grant Creasey was welcomed by the other Rec. Board members. Grant was one of three new council members who comprise Lacombe’s official first City council.   

7.      Information:

7.0     Recreation Services Monthly Report  & Rec Newsletter

Calvin provided the report on Parks and Facilities. Advancements have been made in several areas: the caretaker of the camp ground gave his notice and moved and the camp ground has been closed for the season. The tennis court fence is up and the Cemetery fence should be completed by the end of November. Trees have been planted along Cranna Lake to help stop erosion on the south side of the trail and the Parks crew are picking up leaves.

The pool boiler was installed and the pool controller sensor on the whirl pool was installed. The arena is now running on regular schedule and all leagues are operating now. Heaters are on timers and they’ve had good feedback about that. The hot water tank in the shop area had to be replaced. The LMH has opened the skate sharpening booth and is operating it. The concession is being run by a private operator this season.

Charissa reported that the LMC has been decorated for the Christmas season. Tickets went on sales for the New Year’s Eve Mayor’s Gala on Tuesday November 16. Guests can expect a Las Vegas Theme, with Dueling Piano entertainment, supper and great prizes – including a trip for two to Las Vegas. Moonlight Madness and the Tree Lighting take place on Thursday November 18, 2010 from 5:00pm – 10:00pm. Along the with Farmer’s Market, Mayor Christie will kick off the lighting of Lest We Forget Memorial Park. With the Christmas season ahead, the LMC is busy with lots of bookings.

7.1     Kinsmen Aquatic Centre Monthly Statistics 

Sharon reported that the JLC program has 14 kids registered for this session. Red Cross lessons/private lessons are full – winter lesson registration begins December 1. They’ve purchased 25 sets of Boxers to enhance our fitness classes and they have been quite a hit. The Halloween Bash was sold out! Highlights were the Haunted House, Greeters on the roof dropping fishing rods, two fortune tellers, a spider dive and plenty of games. People were calling just to come to the Haunted House. Sharon was proud of the staff; they did a great job and received lots of positive feedback about the event.

7.2     Lacombe Athletic Park 

Chairman Fred Knip reported on the progress of the Athletic Park and the overwhelming feeling of success and gratitude experienced when the Committee saw the stadium lights come on for the first time. The most recent game saw 2,100 spectators and was a marvelous delight.

7.3     Skateboard Park

Discussion regarding council’s review of the current land location of the Skatepark and Council’s subsequent reinforcement of the decision for the proposed park to remain in its Michener Park location. Sandi also provided the Rec. Board with the final 3D drawing of the park by NewLine Skateparks.

7.4     Off Leash Dog Park

The Off Leash Dog Park fence is up and the gates are almost installed. The park is already in use and will be very popular with users.

7.5     Ideas Fair (Heart of Lacombe Discovery Workshops)     

The Ideas Fair happens Saturday, November 20, 2010 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at the Lacombe Golf Course and Country Club. The drawings and artist representations of community ideas and the results of the volunteer led Discovery Workshops will be presented for public viewing. 

7.6     Alberta Parks & Rec. Conference 2010 (www.2010.arpaonline.ca)

Sandi and Karen both attended the conference in Jasper, Alberta and were both excited to share new ideas, information and trends regarding Parks and Recreation in Alberta and abroad. Karen offered thanks to the Rec. Board for the opportunity to attend such an enlightening and motivating conference.  

MOTION:

THAT the Lacombe and District Recreation, Parks and Culture Board accept the following items as information:

0) Recreation Services Monthly Report

1) Kinsmen Aquatic Centre Monthly Statistics

2) Lacombe Athletic Park

3) Skateboard Park

4) Offleash Park

5) Discovery Workshop

6) AB Parks and Recreation Conference

Moved by:  Charlie Street

Seconded by:  Shelley Cota

           CARRIED

8.      Business Arising:

          8.1     Facility Assistance Grant Guidelines ($1,870)

A quick review of the guidelines was provided by Sandi Stewart.  Primarily the grants were set up to assist non-profit organizations and youth groups who needed help paying facility rental fees.

8.2     Arts Gala Fundraiser ($630) Budget

The application for funding assistance from the Palette Pleasers was reviewed.  This grant would assist the organization to reduce expenses associated with hosting the annual Gala, a primary source of fundraising revenue for the Lacombe Arts Endowment Board. The event took place on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre and the grant request would cover the entire fee of facility rental.

MOTION:

THAT WHEREAS Town Council has appropriated funding for individual requests for the reduction of, or elimination of, facility rental charges, and 

WHEREAS a policy and grant program has been adopted regarding the allocation of these funds, and 

WHEREAS The Palette Pleasers have submitted an application for funding against the rental fee, and 

WHEREAS the Board has reviewed the application 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD  approve the request in the amount of  $630 to assist with rental fees.

           Moved by:  Karen Penrice

           Seconded by: Grant Creasey

           CARRIED

8.3     Annual Children’s Christmas Party ($550)

The application for funding assistance from LA Youth, Lacombe & District FCSS was reviewed.  This grant would assist the organization in hosting the Annual Children’s Christmas Party, which has been a longstanding Christmas event in Lacombe for many years. The requested amount is for the total rental fee of $550.  

MOTION:

THAT WHEREAS Town Council has appropriated funding for individual requests for the reduction of, or elimination of, facility rental charges, and 

WHEREAS a policy and grant program has been adopted regarding the allocation of these funds, and 

WHEREAS LA Youth Lacombe & District FCSS have submitted an application for funding against the rental fee, and 

WHEREAS the Board has reviewed the application 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD  approve the request in the amount of  $550 to assist with rental fees.

Moved by:  Dylan Olsen

Seconded by: Charlie Street

CARRIED

8.4     Review Rec Board Members' terms.

Carla Weidner has served three consecutive terms on the Lacombe Recreation Services Board and will vacate her term December 31, 2010. Chairman, Fred Knip notified the Board that he will be glad to continue to serve the Rec. Board and his term will renew for three years beginning January 1, 2011. There is a recruitment ad for the Rec. Board running in the Lacombe Globe. 

9.    New Business:

No New Business to Report

10.    Next Meeting: January 19, 2011_4:30p.m., Town Office Conference Room

MOTION:

THAT the meeting adjourn at 5:24pm

Moved by: Karen Penrice

Seconded by: Carla Weidner

CARRIED

Social immediately followed the meeting to celebrate and thank Carla Weidner for nine years of dedicated commitment and service to the Rec Board and the community of Lacombe.