Recreation Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2021 08 23

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Recreation Advisory Board Minutes July 26, 2021 Page 3of5 Recreation Center Kathy Martin and Nathan Mosley presented the Q2 Dashboard for the recreation center. Nathan reported that the information in the meeting packet is not up-to- date, and a new Q2 Dashboard will be sent out. Rec center attendance has more than doubled compared to 2020, but is still below pre -pandemic numbers. The center had a net operating deficit of $126,231. In order to balance the budget, money was pulled from the Capital Projects Fund and the General Fund. Rec Advisory Board members commented that the rec center has been responsive and doing as well as possible in unpredictable circumstances. Deb Fahey reported that some people are wondering if they will come back to the rec center. Some purchased home gyms, while others are worried about COVID. She asked about the impact of mask requirements for attendance in the children's programs. Kathy responded that the impact is hard to predict; either way you may gain or lose some people. The hope is that vaccine options, a return of students to school, and a desire to be together with other people will bring patrons back. Ginger reported that a fall guest appreciation week is in the works, designed to encourage people to come back to the rec center. The weeklong event will include a senior health and wellness fair and a special senior lunch. Kathy reported that the Rec Center parking lot will be the staging area for the Labor Day parade, which will begin at the rec center. The Rec Center will be closed that day, but the Memory Square pool will be open. Recreation and Senior Center Hours Kathy presented a proposal regarding rec center hours. She said that attendance is monitored daily, and the proposed schedule reflects actual usage of the center. With the new schedule, the rec center would be open almost as long as it was in 2019. The high school swim team will practice in the pool from 7:00 — 9:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The front desk is well -staffed. The rec center staff is working to hire new life guards, as some of the current employees will return to college in September. If they can't hire enough life guards, the pool hours may have to be modified. "Nite at the Rec," a Friday evening program for 3th — 6t" grade students, was canceled during the pandemic, due to budget cuts and decreasing participation. In the proposed schedule, the rec center will be open later on Friday evenings. Kathy reported that this seems to be a good time for family attendance. To fill the programming void for the age range targeted by Nite at the Rec, staff has planned, and will continue to plan, one-time special events. The board had generally positive responses to the proposed hours, with some concern about closing at 8:00 pm rather than at 9:00. Kathy reported that the