TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MAKEFIELD

PARK & RECREATION BOARD

MINUTES - APRIL 9, 2002

The regular meeting of the Park & Recreation Board of the Township of Lower Makefield was held in the Municipal Building on April 9, 2002. Mr. Kuebler called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

Those present:

Park & Recreation Board: John Kuebler, Secretary

Angie Mancuso, Member

Patricia Martin, Member

Andrew Newbon, Member

Others: Donna Liney, Recreation Director

Brad Sharp, Pool Manager

Mary Ann Smith, Swim Team Liaison

Scott Fegley, Supervisor Liaison

Absent: David Fritchey, Chairman, Park & Rec Board

Ron Smith, Vice Chairman, Park & Rec Board

Henry Carpenter, Member, Park & Rec Board

LEAGUE REPORTS

Mr. Kuebler noted football registration is currently taking place.

RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Ms. Liney stated PAA did make use of the new building at Stoddart and they received back

positive feedback on the concession stand and on the Township fields. She noted

preparations for the Pool opening are underway. Bids for the gas chlorine conversion are

due shortly. The project will only take several days to complete. Ms. Liney distributed this evening the information which will be included in the Pool Member’s Newsletter and they will include a survey on renovations to the Pool. The return date will be May 31, 2002. Ms. Liney asked and it was agreed that the May meeting to be held on May 14 will be held at the Pool. Ms. Liney reported that plans are continuing for the Earth Day activities on April 20.

Ms. Liney said she wanted to ask if the Board would like to advertise for discussion at the June meeting consideration of a skate park as indicated by the Park Board at an earlier meeting. Mr. Kuebler asked if they intend to invite the public to the meeting to see if there is any interest, and Ms. Liney stated this was her understanding when it was previously discussed. Mr. Kuebler stated that if the public is invited and expresses interest in a Park, the Park & Recreation Board would not know whether the Board of Supervisors was in favor of this and where this use could be located in the Township. Mr. Kuebler stated he

April 9, 2002 Park & Recreation Board - page 2 of 5

feels they should identify where they would put this and if it would be acceptable to the Board of Supervisors. He stated if there is an organized group that wants to petition for this use, he would have no problem with this. Mr. Fegley stated if the intention is to purchase some equipment he does not see that this would be a problem; however, if it is something more than this, he would be concerned since there are a limited number of dollars and many needs in the Township. Mr. Lee Eisner, resident, stated this activity takes place currently in his neighborhood and he is concerned about the safety of children doing this in the middle of the street. Mr. Newbon stated he has some information on insurance waivers for this activity. Ms. Liney stated this would not be considered for construction before 2003. She agreed to hold off on advertising until after consulting with the Park & Recreation members not present this evening. Mr. Newbon suggested that they also determine if the Board of Supervisors would be interested in such a proposal.

Ms. Martin stated she feels they will need to have more information to give the Supervisors such as cost.

DISCUSSION OF LMT COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Ms. Liney stated she is waiting for responses from the Park & Rec Board members. She

noted she did receive Mr. Smith’s response. Ms. Liney stated planning for Park &

Recreation is necessary so that the Township can continue to meet the recreation needs of the Township residents. She asked that responses be provided by Friday, April 12.

APPROVAL OF MARCH, 2002 MINUTES

Mr. Newbon moved, Ms. Martin seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve the

March, 2002 Minutes as written.

UPDATE ON PLANNED MEMORIAL

Ms. Mancuso had no report at this time.

PRESENTATION OF BASELINE FEASIBILITY STUDY OF LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY POOL

Mr. Ted Wallover was present and stated he appeared before the Supervisors in March and

answered a number of their questions. He stated Lower Makefield Township has one of the

largest facilities in this part of Pennsylvania. He stated this does result in significant

expense when renovations are needed. He stated the Township and Brad Sharp should be

commended because the Pool is in excellent condition. He noted there are some problems,

but he feels this facility is a great asset. He feels they should start a plan of renovations and

prioritize their needs. He has provided a prioritization for consideration. He stated a

number of these improvements cannot easily be seen by the members. He stated they are in

the process of converting the gas chlorine system to liquid. His firm will be working with

the contractors. They are waiting to finalize the chlorinization project and they will then do

the pressure testing for the heater system. He stated the heaters have been rebuilt to hopefully correct problems they had in the past.

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Mr. Wallover stated two bids have been received for painting the 50 meter pool and they

waiting for two more bids. He noted there would not be sandblasting, etc. this year before the painting. Mr. Wallover noted the 25 meter competitive pool has problems with the plaster which is yellow and he is going to consider acid washing the pool or using a plaster resurfacer rather than painting which he does not recommend with the plaster pool at this time. He stated there is some water loss in this pool and they recommend a dye test to find out where the problems are if caulking does not help.

Mr. Wallover stated there was discussion on a handicap access ramp. He noted ADA does

not require this ramp. He stated if they did have this ramp it would make the pool more

accessible to some Township residents who may not currently be able to use the Pool.

He is not in favor of installing the ramp if it will compromise the 50 meter course.

Mr. Wallover stated the Pool Board did express a concern with the facility being dated

compared to some of the other Pools in the area and there had been discussion on some

interactive features for the tot pool area. He stated the last part of the study refers to this

and they have provided a rough plan on how this problem could be addressed. He stated

the tot pool area is the one area at the Pool which they feel needs improvement. He stated

he feels improvements to this area would result in positive feedback from the Township

families.

As a result of his meeting with the Supervisors, he understands that they are concerned

with the Budget. Mr. Kuebler asked if all the improvements were done at one time, how

soon would renovations need to be done again. Mr. Wallover stated most renovated pools

get another twenty years of use. Mr. Kuebler stated he feels if they do this in bits and

pieces it will cost more in the long run and would not be as marketable to the community.

Mr. Wallover stated he does not feel the Board of Supervisors would be in favor of doing

all the improvements at one time. Mr. Wallover stated because of the way the facility has

been maintained and the degree of care that has been given, the Pool does have the potential

of having the improvements phased. He stated he feels they need to address the tot pool

first. He stated the survey will also provide good information. His only concern is that

they are looking at surveying the membership only and not the overall community.

Mr. Fegley stated none of the Supervisors are against spending money to keep the Pool in

good condition. Their concern is not with maintenance as much as it is with some of the

additional items discussed and the costs associated. He stated he feels five to seven years

for the renovations would be appropriate. He stated it must be recognized that this is all to

be funded through the membership and does not come out of the General Fund. He noted

he understands the current Pool bonds will be paid off shortly and they would then be in a

good position to go out to borrow to do some of the other improvements if this is their

desire. Mr. Wallover stated the Pool is owned by the Township who would ultimately

borrow the money. Mr. Fegley stated the money would still have to come out of

Membership funds and not the General Fund so that no taxpayer funds are used.

Mr. Wallover stated he feels they could look at projected membership based on

improvements being made. Ms. Liney stated they are currently at 1300 families.

Mr. Wallover stated the site can handle more people than what they are recommending in

the report because of the amount of ground that they have available. He stated they used the

water surface for occupancy in their report and this was 1300 families. He stated they have

recommended that there should be more restroom facilities since they are under Code in this

area. He stated they also feel improvements need to be done to the entrance to improve the

aesthetics and they recommend removal of the storage sheds from this area.

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Mr. Newbon stated he feels it would be better to phase the projects in as recommended by

Mr. Wallover. He feels some aesthetic improvements should be considered since this is

something that can be seen for the money spent.

Ms. Smith expressed concern with the drainage of rainwater coming into the Pool.

Mr. Wallover stated the water going into the Pool is being treated and sanitized, but it still

should not be occurring. He would not be concerned with this situation as a health matter

although he does feel it needs to be addressed at some point. Ms. Smith stated apart from

the tot pool which she feels needs to be improved, most people are very pleased with the

Pool. She stated she also hears problems about the lack of space in the restroom and

problems with the snack bar. Mr. Fegley stated he thought they just recently addressed

problems at the snack bar. Mr. Wallover stated he feels they are losing money at the snack

bar but this was not part of their base line study. Ms. Smith stated she feels the snack bar

is the worst of all the Clubs they go to. She stated she feels it is too small. Mr. Sharp

stated the number one problem he hears about the snack bar is that it is too expensive.

Mr. Wallover stated this is one of the areas that the Park & Recreation Board needs to

address.

Mr. Kuebler stated he feels money is being lost since people are not joining the Pool

because of the lack of certain amenities. He feels they may need to survey at least a sample

of non-members to find out what non-members are looking for.

Mr. Fegley stated he is hearing conflicting messages. He has heard what a great facility

this is and then he hears that they have the worst facility and need to attract new people. He

has heard that want to get new people in but then he has also heard that there are currently

1300 families and if they increase this number, they will have to have more restrooms, etc.

to accommodate more members. Mr. Wallover stated he feels they need to have the venue

to attract people and what they had twenty years ago many not attract people today. He

stated the overall fact is that the Pool is well run and well maintained. He stated there may

be some problems such as food service, but the Pool is still well maintained and well run.

He stated they want to insure that people will want to continue to come to the Pool in the future.

Mr. Kuebler asked how much more revenue they could generate if more people wanted to

join.

Mr. Eisner questioned how they would get more people if the population is stabilizing.

He stated he also knows of a number of Lower Makefield residents who put in their own

pools.

Mr. Sharp stated he feels it would be good to send out a questionnaire to a sample of

non-members and find out why they are not joining the Pool. He stated currently

membership funds sustain the Pool and once the bond is paid off, they will have a positive

cash flow and they may be able to do many of the items in the report.

Mr. Wallover stated what they have proposed in the report is what other Municipalities

across the State are doing to help update their pools.

Mr. Kuebler stated possibly they could send out the questionnaire along with the Township

Newsletter. Ms. Liney stated normally the Township Newsletter does not go out until

December.

April 9, 2002 Park & Recreation Board - page 5 of 5

Mr. Sharp stated they should understand that they are not losing money in the snack bar.

He stated when he first came to the Pool they were losing money because they ran it. The

Township now receives rent from the vendor, although he recognizes that they could

possibly earn more. He stated the snack bar continues to be a concern of members.

Mr. Fegley stated the concerns seems to be with the vendor and not the facility. Mr. Sharp

stated there are problems with the facility as well since it is very hot. He stated they did do

some renovations to attempt to correct this problem but it continues to be a concern. He

stated concerns have also been expressed about the restroom/changing facility.

There was further discussion on the questionnaire, and Mr. Wallover stated they usually do

include non-members in their surveys. He stated it must be a true sampling such as

sending it out to every fourth house, etc. so that it is not simply one area or faction of the

community. Mr. Newbon disagreed and stated he feels they should target the young

families. Mr. Wallover stated this does not provide a clear picture to the Board of

Supervisors. He noted there are four heated pools and this presents opportunities for

senior citizens. Mr. Wallover stated he feels if they are going to target a particular area

such as young families they should give them a specific color for the questionnaires so that

they know where there are coming from. Mr. Wallover stated if they have the results of a

questionnaire, they can base their future plans on information which has been provided by

the residents. They can then present this to the Board of Supervisors as validation of what

improvements they feel need to be done. Mr. Wallover stated there are certain times of the

year when it is advisable to conduct surveys. He wound not recommend that it be done in

the summer. He stated the best time is in January or September. Mr. Newbon suggested

that if someone completes the survey and brings it back, they should be given a free day at

the Pool. He stated he feels this would give them an opportunity to use the Pool and most

likely this will generate interest.

Ms. Martin suggested that this be limited to a certain week. Mr. Newbon stated they could

color code the questionnaires so that all the people are not coming to the Pool at the same

time. Mr. Kuebler stated he does not feel it makes sense to do the survey for the members

now and the non-members later. Mr. Wallover stated he feels if this is they way they feel,

they should do both now. He suggested that they do two different colors so that if a

member would then get another survey as part of the general mailing, they would not count

it twice because the colors would be different.

Mr. Sharp suggested that they do it now rather than September since the best time to do

work at the Pool is in the fall and if they wait until the fall to do the survey, it will be too

late to do any of the work.

Mr. Kuebler moved, Ms. Mancuso seconded and it was unanimously carried to recommend a membership survey and a non-member random sampling with the offer to non-members to have a free day at the Pool.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

John Kuebler, Secretary