From: Carol Sheridan, Manager of Parks and Recreation Date: March 12, 2014
Administration/Labour Management:
2 representatives of Omland Heal Chartered Accountants visited the Administration office March 3 to do the field work portion of the annual audit. Their new policies required all documents to be provided in electronic format so they have been able to continue their work from their Penticton office.
On March 7 I met with Sandy Croteau, Financial Officer for the RDOS, to discuss the Reserve Bylaws for our 5 functions, learn more about options for funding capital projects (reserves, borrowing, tax requisition) and to determine how the administration fees paid annually to the RDOS are calculated.
March 5th we underwent a First Aid Assessment performed by Nu Tech as part of our Occupational Health & Safety program mandated by WorkSafeBC. Several upgrades to first aid and safety equipment in all the facilities and vehicles were completed to bring us to up to regulation/required levels.
Job descriptions for seasonal positions Facility Maintenance Worker and Student Labourer are being reviewed by management and CUPE as they have not been updated since the Society was formed. The positions will be posted at the end of the month with the successful candidate’s set to start work May 1.
A couple staff accomplishments to report: Peter Daoust recently passed a big benchmark in his career, completing 20 years of service to the Town of Oliver/Oliver Parks and Recreation Society. Norm Card recently completed his Ice Facility Operator certificate.
A meeting was held with Shawn Goodsell from the Town of Oliver to get more familiar with his area of operations, opportunities to collaborate as well as to confirm who is responsible for what in some of the overlapping park areas.
The 2014 Lease Agreement between the Eastlink Curling Centre and the OPRS will be signed this week as per our budget for the extra facility to house the SunFun day camp program and provide an alternative event/meeting location and source of booking revenue. OPRS leases the building from May 15th until August 315t and pays the Eastlink Curling Centre $500 per month for June and $1000 per month for July and August, a total of $2500.00.
Facilities:
Since the Society was formed there has not been a review of the annual Facility Maintenance Schedules, which Peter and I are currently working through starting with the parks and the pool to determine our start up and regular maintenance schedule.
Peter and I attended a workshop hosted by the RDOS which provided the results of an extensive energy audit performed on Regional District facilities in Keremeos, OK Falls, Naramata and Kaleden. The workshop provided several examples of ways to reduce energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of the presenters and audit funding partners was Perry Faser from Fortis BC, who met with Peter and I about Oliver facilities and what we could do here to continue the great work being done to reduce energy use.
Tennis nets are all up and regular court maintenance is being scheduled for the first week of April. The windscreen on the north facing fence has some significant damage caused by the elements and will need to be repaired or replaced. A meeting will be held in early April with the Oliver Tennis Club to review the expiring service agreement and establish a new one.
Repairs were done on the arena dehumidifier and it will require additional attention once the plant is shut down. We will also be servicing one of the compressors as per our capital plan as well as replacing the chiller. The technical specifications that will form the RFP for the chiller replacement was prepared by engineers at CIMCO and once the document is completed it will go out for tender. The work is planned for June.
This month we replaced an old elliptical machine that we could no longer get parts for with a newer quieter model. We also installed satellite radio which has greatly improved the atmosphere in the gym. Our team of trained weight room volunteers are working 3-hour shifts throughout the week and do regular inspections of the facility and equipment, check for current membership cards and are working to ensure to the best of their ability the safe and proper use of the weight room by patrons. We have noticed a difference in the overall cleanliness of the facility and procedures being followed by patrons.
A second AED unit has been installed in the breezeway between the Hall and the Administration Office where it is very visible and publically accessible. The BC Safety Authority denied approval to energize the heater in the outdoor cabinet so the BC PAD Program who donated the units all over the province is now tasked with finding an alternative solution before the fall so that the unit can remain outside all year round.
Community Development:
Initial discussions are underway with the Arts Council regarding a new “Music in the Park” proposal that would bring the weekly summer entertainment from the Visitor Centre to the Community Stage on Thursday evenings as a partnership project with Oliver Parks & Recreation. I will be attending the March 19th Arts Council meeting to continue to discuss the proposal and answer any questions. There are plans to invite participation from food and artisan vendors to increase the draw to the park and provide a revenue source to sustain the program.
A successful pitch was made to OOWA to become the major sponsor of a new fundraising event for the Oliver Sunshine Festival that will take place in Community Park on Thursday July 10 to kick off the summer wine festival and the Sunshine Festival July 11. The event will be ticketed and feature local wines and small plates prepared by local chefs using local ingredients, live entertainment and a raffle.
Discussions continue with SD 53 regarding the development of a Joint Use Agreement. The desired outcomes for this agreement are to foster collaboration and partnership between our organizations; to maximize the use of school and recreation facilities; to increase the opportunities for students and residents to experience the benefits of recreation. The Joint Use Committee met last week to review other successful agreements in the province, discuss facility cost and usage comparisons and establish the protocol needs of both parties for facility use. A draft agreement and fee schedule will be available for review by both the District Board and the OPRS next month.
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From: Katie Eaton, Recreation Supervisor
- Events:
- Annual Easter Egg Hunt coming up on Saturday April 19th from 10am-noon and will feature craft stations, egg hunt, a visit from the Easter Bunny and goodie bags for all the children. Families are asked to pre-register their children; however admission on event day is by donation.
- New Events this session: Move for Health Day (Sat, May 10) Join thousands of fellow British Columbians who will be getting out and getting active on May 10th in the name of Health. We will be offering free fitness workshops, walking clinic, sports and games for families, healthy snacks and more. (Free event!)
- Bike to Work Week (May 20-June 1) we are encouraging all Oliver and Area C residents to participate in national Bike to Work Week 2014! More information will be posted on our website closer to event date.
- Oliver Parks and Recreation will be hosting the Oliver 10 KM Race (Sun, April 13).
- Programs/Administration:
- Winter program are coming to an end this month. Spring Guide is complete and was sent to print yesterday. We will be distributing the guide by March 20th and the PDF format will be on our website www.oliverrecreation.ca this Friday, March 14.
- 4th Annual Lose it for Life (Biggest Loser Program): We’re getting closer to the finale —just shy of three weeks until the Finale Weigh-in.
I’m very proud to say we’ve had 40 people register, and not one has dropped out as of yet. At our 6 week weigh in, our first session had 20 people attend with a total weight loss of 250 Ibs! Everyone is putting in major commitment and really striving to change their lifestyle. I will have a final report at the April society meeting regarding the finale.
- Spring Break Camp will start Monday, March 17th and run until Friday, March 29th. These two weeks of care will be full of fun activities such as crafts, cooking, bowling out trips, pizza party, Bricks 4 Kids Lego Workshop, and much more!
- Most of Spring Programming begins on the second week of April. New this session: Parent &Tot Theme Days (Teddy Bear Picnic, Chalk ‘ n’ Bubbles and Hawaiian Luau), Oliver EELS Swim Club, Multi-Sport Day Camp, Drama Day
Camp, Low Intensity & High Intensity Interval Training, High Intensity Beach Boot Camp and Adult Pole Walking.
Posting for Sun Fun Day Camp staff will be posted on our website www.oliverrecreation.ca along with our Facebook Page. We will accept applications until Thursday, April 3rd.
We had a strong, well-rounded group of leaders last summer. Four of five staff has expressed interest in returning this summer. We hope to retain them for another year and hire one new employee to help in Sun Fun and lead the other new Day