Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/14/2013

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Shryock, Commissioners Minke, Fyten, Barr, Bennett, and Olsen. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Chubb. 5. COMMISSION BUSINESS 5.01: Recommend the Decommission of Titterud Park's Tennis Court. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood noted one of the City's first improved parks was Titterud Park. In the late 1970's several improvements occurred in the park, including the installation of a two -court tennis court (with lights being added later). The courts have been color -coated several times over the decades and in 2007, staff routed the significant vertical cracks in the court and patched with bituminous in an attempt to extend the courts useful life. This did extend the time the courts could be used for play for a short while until the color - coating began to spall off in increasingly larger pieces. In the Spring of 2012, staff inspected the courts and deemed them no longer safe for play and did not install nets. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reported shortly after the courts were deemed unsafe for play. Staff posted a notice at the entrance asking potential patrons to contact staff if they had questions or concerns with the court's closure. Two inquiries were received from residents and they were directed to the other tennis courts in the City. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained that replacement of the courts would cost a minimum of $50,000. The City also has four courts at Rivers' Bend Park, four at Central Park, and a single court each at Riverdale and Fox Parks. The primary users of these tennis courts at Rivers' Bend and Central are seniors. Riverblood continued that the removal of the courts and recycling of the materials can be performed in-house with Public Works Staff as time permits. The lighting relocation from Titterud Park to Central Park is being investigated. No supplemental funding is required at this time as the equipment and trucking time to remove the courts would be absorbed by the Parks operating budget. Funding for the relocation of the lights will be addressed separately, if found to be feasible. Staff recommends that the tennis courts at Titterud Park be removed and disposed of, as appropriate, and to look at relocating the lighting system. This would cost approximately $8,000. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated he does not believe tennis play is increasing in the City at this point in time nor nationally as a trend. Chairperson Shryock asked what the $8,000 cost to move the lighting consisted of. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed what was entailed in moving the lighting. One question is whether the lighting for a two -court system would be able to light a four -court system. It is staff' s belief it would and staff will look at using the same power supply as used by the hockey rink lights; however, more cable will be needed. Commissioner Bennett asked what the cost would be for the removal of the fencing. Park and Recreation Commission/February 14, 2013 Page 2 of 4