Report from Katie Eaton – Recreation Program Supervisory
Events:
Annual Dog Swim (last day the pool is open)
Programs:
Summer Day Camp Programs – Total Net Revenue reported on Monday, August 11th is $25,090.00 (22,000 budgeted). Enrollment has been excellent, with most weeks’ waitlisted.
Half-Day Day Camp options:
Multi-Sport Day Camp (July 21-25 & Aug 11 -15). The July session was cancelled due to low registration, but the August session is currently running with 10 children registered. This camp offered a variety of sports and swimming at the outdoor pool.
Drama Day Camp (July 7-11 & Aug 18-22). The July session was successful with 10 kids registered and we’re seeing a few returning customers for the upcoming August session. Students learned new drama games, worked on public speaking skills and worked together towards a final performance for their parents on the last day.
Tykes Day Camp (Aug 11-15). This camp is a great opportunity for children ages 3-5 to come to the Rec Centre for one week to play games, create crafts, snacks and sing songs. For most children this was their first day camp experience.
Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Brochure is in the editing stages. We hope to have it sent to print on Monday, Aug 25th. We are offering a variety of new programs: Tykes Indoor Kick & Run Soccer, Arty Smarty, Mini Iron Chefs, Adult All Sport League, FALL Shape up and Shed Plan, Multi-Level Hatha Yoga, The Barre Workout, Hot Yoga, 6 Pack Hiking Series and monthly ” Make and Take” sessions (all products are made with non-toxic, natural ingredients and 100% essential oils — examples of items made are: sleepy baby rub, diaper wipes, chest rub, lip balm, bath salts and more.
Report of Carol Sheridan, Manager of Parks and Recreation
Administration/Labour Management:
We held our first Joint Occupational Health and Safety committee meeting with employee representation from the Pool, Day Camps, Office, Facilities and Management. The committee will be implementing quarterly Workplace Inspections this month that will conduct a full review of work processes methods and general facility interiors, identifying potential hazards and the action required to correct them.
A couple minor El Reduced Premium issues have arisen this year based on changes made to our benefits policy as well as our collective agreement. They will be resolved however it is becoming apparent that there is a big disconnect between the benefits provider (Fenchurch) and the Society as we as still under the umbrella of the Town of Oliver for benefits coverage and all and any communications regarding the benefits policies and packages are strictly between the Town and the Provider even though the Society and its employees are affected. Prior to CUPE negotiations I will be investigating the current situation and looking at options.
The Facility Attendants are doing an incredible job maintaining and improving the condition of the parks, pool, arena and hall facilities. Morale is high and they are achieving tasks in an efficient way. I feel that this has been the smoothest summer operation since I started in 2010.
Development of the 2015 Budget and Capital Plan is underway. Several changes to the budget detail are necessary to reflect actual expenses and expense items in each of the functions. Capital plan will be modified to reflect the strategic priorities identified by the Society and its employees.
We are halfway through our Bylaw Enforcement contract in the parks. There have been significantly less people in the parks this month, therefore fewer infractions of the bylaws. We are still seeing way too many dogs off leash in all of the parks, however Community Park is where the large majority of the infractions are happening and most of them are by residents. There have been 2 documented complaints by the same individual who was running in Community Park and was accosted (not harmed) by dogs not in control by their owner.
We will be expanding our office hours for the Fall/Winter season, staying open Mon/Wed evenings until 8:00pm to have staff available in the evenings to take registrations, sell fitness passes and help with evening programs.
I will be on holidays Sept 17-26. I am going to Toronto to represent the BC/Yukon Region in the JCI National Effective Speaking Competition then visiting with my family.
Facilities:
Chiller installation is 98% complete in the arena, insulation of the new piping will happen this week. Some work still left to be done on the dehumidifier and compressors before the plant starts up which is scheduled for September 2. Ice will be available for rent by user groups on September 15, the annual ice user meeting will take place on August 20.
The inspector from the BC Safety Authority was on site at the arena recently to look at the new chiller and to review the Refrigeration Safety regulations with staff.
A company has approached me about purchasing advertising space on our blue lines at the Arena. This is new territory and will be reviewed from the installation and upkeep angle as well as what the appropriate price tag would be for spaces with such high visibility.
The Big League Experience baseball camps are in full swing and are enjoying the use of the ball diamonds, pool and arena facilities. Owner Marty Lehn is very happy with the condition of the facilities and the improvements made to the diamonds this spring as well as the level of service he is receiving from all the staff.
Irrigation improvements have been started on a small scale at Community Park and Lion’s with regular checks on lines and changing over the sprinkler heads to ones that provide better coverage.
On July 30 I met with the residents living beside or near Rotary Beach to discuss how things are going at the park, some concerns and discussion about future development at the park. Concerns included inadequate signage (both in the park and way finding), dogs off leash, the large tree hanging into the water at the north end of the park and geese. There was positive feedback about the condition of the park and beach and some good discussion about improvements such as new rock landscaping along fencing and above retaining wall, a slide for the beach and increasing the non-motorized boating opportunities on Tuc-el-Nuit lake from Rotary Park.
There has been some significant erosion of the pool floor this season. In the shallow end there is a hole in the surface that has to be covered with a large rubber mat so patrons do not trip or injure their feet, and small pieces of marsite have started to crumble off and staff has to remove them constantly. Without draining the pool there is little action that could be taken other than the preventative measures taking place. Research will be done as to what products and methods can be used to repair the pool surface prior to next season to achieve better results.
Community Development:
A Volunteer Appreciation event was held for the Sunshine Festival on July 24 which was attended by over 30 volunteers and valuable feedback was collected and a good time had by all. A survey has been published on facebook, on our website and via email to gather more information about people’s experience at the Festival.
Healthy Living Coalition is working on 2 new Food Security & Mental Health Projects that will take place between September and March. I have submitted two grant applications for graduate students from UBC to work with local stakeholders to complete these projects in exchange for school credit.
The Oliver Evening Market and Music in the Park continues on Thursday nights until August 28 and plans are underway for some sort of special wrap up event on Sept 4. There are definitely more people attending each week and a couple independent small farms are finally coming with their produce to the evening market.
Andrew Ruck has expressed interest in developing a Hockey Academy for children in grades 3-7, similar to the one in Osoyoos. There has also been some interest from the homeschool community in new art and skating programs during the day for their students.
We have been in communication with local day care providers regarding available spaces if the teacher’s strike continues. There are very few spaces available for school-aged children in local care facilities so we anticipate that there will be parents looking for safe, fun options for their children during the weekdays.