PARK & RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES – MAY 10, 2005
The regular meeting of the Park & Recreation Board of
the
Those present:
Park & Recreation Board: David Fritchey, Chairman
Ron Smith, Vice Chairman
Henry Carpenter, Member
Richard Jutkiewicz, Member
Others: Donna Liney, Recreation Director
Pete Stainthorpe, Supervisor Liaison
Absent: John Kuebler, Park & Recreation Secretary
Patricia Bunn, Park & Recreation Member
Andrew Newbon, Park & Recreation Member
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Carpenter moved, Mr. Jutkiewicz seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve the Minutes of April 12, 2005 as written.
DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY POOL
Mr. Brad Sharp, Pool Manager, was present and introduced members of his staff.
He stated they are ahead of schedule on getting the Pool ready for the start of the season
because of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this evening. He stated it appears that
membership is much higher than it has been in the past. He stated the slide will be a
great addition for the membership. He stated the Pool staff wants to make sure that they
run the slide safely and efficiently. He stated they are still considering how it will be run.
Their primary concern is safety. He stated they anticipate it will take three guards to man
the slides. Mr. Smith
noted his son has experience with the slides at
may have some input on this. Mr. Sharp stated he will take input from the guards.
Mr. Sharp stated he is concerned with the amount of water space they are taking with the
slides. He stated they will have to rope off a certain area of the pool so no one can swim
in front of the slides. They are looking at weighted buoys. Mr. Sharp stated he feels the
May 10, 2005 Park & Recreation Board – page 2 of 4
Township has made a wise decision with the purchase of the slide. He stated he also has
ideas on improvements for the future as well and will pass these along.
Mr. Fritchey asked for his top three items. Mr. Sharp stated he would like to do the baby
pool next and include some water features. He stated he also feels they need to address
the concerns of the basic pools. He stated the pool is twenty-five years old. He stated the
water loss does not seem as bad as it was in the past since the pool servicing company
addressed some prior concerns. They are still losing a little water. He stated he feels the
pools are in great shape considering they are twenty-five years old. He stated
Mr. Wallover gave a positive assessment and feels the pools have been well maintained.
Mr. Sharp stated he still feels they need to budget for future maintenance. He stated they
also need to install an in-ground sprinkler system so that the grass does not turn brown
and end up in the pool. Mr. Sharp stated the Lower Makefield Township Pool Complex
is an outstanding facility. He stated he feels it is the best facility in the area and may be
one of the best on the East Coast. He stated he has been at the pool for nineteen years
and feels they have made tremendous strides over the years. He stated Ms. Liney has
worked relentlessly on pool projects, and Mr. Copson has also done a great deal of work
at the Pool
Mr. Smith stated he feels a number of the items Mr. Sharp has discussed have been
considered. Ms. Liney stated the Wallover report and survey results from the membership have been considered and are being addressed. She stated the members have indicated that furniture and shade were desired.
Mr. Stainthorpe asked the status of the handicap ramp. Mr. Sharp stated he does not feel
that there is a big need for this at this point in time. Ms. Liney stated the architect felt
they would get more competitive bids if they combined this with the gutter work.
Mr. Sharp stated this would also be an issue for the Swim Team if they started taking
away lanes.
Mr. Fritchey stated there seems to be a fair amount of interest on the part of some people
on having a bubble over the Pool. Mr. Sharp stated they would need a full-time Manager
who could be available in the winter. He stated they would also have to winterize the
building so it would not just involve a bubble. He stated they would also have to
consider how they could take the bubble off in the summer as well as create an entrance
which could be used. They also need to consider liability issues. He stated he feels they
would need a new entrance at the lower gate and they would have to consider parking in
that area as well which could impact the softball fields. Mr. Fritchey stated it appears
that there are a huge number of hidden costs. He stated they have also considered that
the Pool should be self-sustaining, and he is not sure that it would be able to have all of
these costs and still be self-sustaining. Mr. Sharp stated he has heard that the Swim Team
people are interesting in fundraising to help get this project going. He stated he agrees
that it would be great for the Township if they had a year-round facility, but they must
May 10, 2005 Park & Recreation Board – page 3 of 4
consider all the issues. Mr. Fritchey asked Mr. Sharp if he would consider this item
ahead of the other items he mentioned, and Mr. Sharp stated he feels they need to
consider the needs of the broad-based membership. He suggested that if they are
seriously interested in pursuing this, they look at the
have a bubble over their pool. He noted in that case it is attached to the High School.
Mr. Sharp noted that Chuck Diemer, a long time gate guard, passed away recently.
He noted that he worked at the Pool for seventeen years and had done a great job.
SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORT
Mr. Stainthorpe stated the residents from the Rivergate Development
came before the Board of Supervisors again.
The Board agreed to install additional trees for buffering and they are
going to look into adjusting the existing lights and installing shields. He noted that the Board made it clear that no
lights would be coming down and that they are planning to go forward with the
new lights. Mr. Stainthorpe stated the
Board also approved going out to bid for the 9-11 Memorial. Mr. Stainthorpe stated there is a home on
RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Liney stated May is traditionally one of the busiest months in Park & Recreation.
She stated everything appears to be running smoothly. They have a few cleanup items on
the Pool slide to complete but are confident everything will be 100% by Opening Day.
She stated a training session on the operation of the slides was given to Pool staff on
May 7. The Pool Manager, three Assistant Managers, and a dozen staff members were
present as well as Park maintenance staff. The lifeguards were also able to ride the
slides. A second training session will be held Saturday, May 28 before the Pool opens.
Smithworks, Inc. the slide installer, will be on site at the Pool Memorial Day weekend to
answer any questions.
Ms. Liney stated another successful YMS Epic Soccer Tournament was held this past
weekend as well as the Pennsbury Pony Softball Tournament. She stated these
Tournaments involved 2500 children participating plus an additional 2,000 friends and
May 10, 2005 Park & Recreation Board – page 4 of 4
families resulting in approximately 5,000 people enjoying the use of Township facilities.
She stated this would not have been possible without the coordination of YMS and PAA.
She stated they received a number of positive comments and feel the Tournaments
reflected well on the Township.
Mr. Smith thanked Mr. Copson for his work this weekend at
noted Ms. Liney was present on Saturday making sure that everything was running
smoothly.
LEAGUE REPORTS
Lower Bucks Lacrosse - Mr. Jutkiewicz stated there was an article in last month’s Sports
Illustrated that stated Lacrosse is the fastest growing organized sport in the 10 to 15 age
group. He stated the
National Collegiate Championships will be held at
Financial field over Memorial Day Weekend. He stated they are still getting inquiries
about Lacrosse for the fall program. They have an event in early June and are interested
in getting some Waste Management disposable cans. Ms. Liney agreed to work with
them on this.
Yardley-Makefield Soccer Club – Mr. Smith stated they had a very successful
Tournament.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Liney stated she feels they will establish the date of the Road Tour at the June
meeting.
There being no further business, Mr. Smith moved, Mr. Jutkiewicz seconded and it was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David
Fritchey, Chairman