SOCCER BOARD SEEKS MORE SPACE

At the August 4 Workshop Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District the Commissioners discussed allowing the Infant Welfare Society to allow a beer garden at their Pig Party at the Park, Family Pig Roast at Lake Ellyn Park on September 13. Commissioner Bill Dallman commented that this would not be a change in the District’s rules for events at Lake Ellyn – but rather an exception if the Board votes in favor of this. The Board voted unanimously to support Infant Welfare’s request.

During Matters from the Public Jeff Dickson, former Park District Commissioner candidate stated that the travel soccer program is in woeful need of more space. For the fall season they are covered but the program has grown dramatically in the last 3-4 years. Dickson further commented that while the District’s intergovernmental relationships are great, he wanted to know what they are doing about obtaining fields for them at Glenbard South and COD.

Dickson expressed concern that the fields are not rested. He said that is because the District does not limit the use of fields. Dickson would like to see them allow only organized use of the soccer fields by the Park District and appropriate signage placed; with this enforced by the Glen Ellyn Police Department and the Park District Police.

Dickson concluded that the District should be placing soccer fields for his program at Maryknoll Park. Although Maryknoll was not designed for sports, he said the Commissioners need to relook that and he suggested that baseball might be able to give up some fields to accommodate his program as well.

Bill Hupp, Chairman of the Glen Ellyn Youth Soccer (GEYSO) offered to assist as a resource to help figure out a needs analysis for fields.

Brad Blewett Co-Coordinator for GEYSO expressed his disappointment with the old Park Board. In his three years with GEYSO none of the Park Board Commissioners has ever approached him or contacted him. He stated that the conditions of the soccer fields are horrendous. Blewett stated that he himself has never played on fields that do not drain, that can’t be rotated and that they are stuck with limited space and a growing program. Blewett did not comment on what, if any attempts he has made during his tenure on the GEYSO Board to discuss his concerns with any of the Park District Commissioners.

Park Board President Sandra Minogue responded: “Let’s not forget one thing, these are Park District Programs. What makes this work is all of us working together. We want all of our programs to run the best they can – we will work together to make this work.”

Recreation Supervisor Dan Kroger presented the Preliminary Budget for the Ackerman Sports Complex. Kroger reiterated several points discussed at length at the July 21 Board Meeting for the Commissioners. Hours, staffing and fees were again presented to the Board.

Commissioner Dallman thanked Staff for all of their efforts on the Preliminary Budget. He stated that it was intelligent, well thought out & flexible enough to change as needed considering the facility won’t be open for a few more months.

Commissioner Melissa Creech wants the walking track offered free to the public. Staff proposed a $10 annual fee which would help pay for the proposed access card; a security measure since they would know who is using that feature of the Complex, as well as an informative feature, since they could evaluate peak usage. The Geneva Park District has 2,000 senior walking members at the walking track at their Fitness Center who pay $5 annually; they will be raising their rate to $25 and do not anticipate a drop in membership.

Board President Minogue has no problem with the $10 fee considering the cost associated with it. She further remarked that there is no other facility in town to walk indoors in the winter at the hours that Ackerman will be available.

Commissioner Creech expressed concern at the White Sox Academy proposed lease agreement for the Ackerman Sports Complex. This led to a lively discussion on the White Sox Academy proposed use of the facility. District Counsel Steve Adams will be negotiating the lease agreement. He thanked the Board for their input as this will be very helpful during the negotiation process.

The Glen Ellyn Park District did not add this space in order to accommodate the White Sox Academy (WSA). According to Dave Scarmardo, Superintendent of Parks: “The original plan for the Ackerman Complex included (3) batting cages and (1) pitching tunnel in the basement. However, the cost for a basement at Ackerman was over $1 million. By moving the batting cages to the main level and expanding the building this saved the District over $250,000. It was not until later in the planning stages that the WSA approached staff to partner with the GEPD to operate the cages at no cost for equipment, supplies or staff. The original size of Ackerman was 45,000 sq ft, not 35,000 sq ft as stated in other on-line sources.

The Board discussed the Field Usage Study proposed by Commissioner Creech. Commissioner Creech distributed an example. This was not made available to the public present at the meeting. Commissioner Ed Hess inquired what purpose this would serve, if this could be just as effective evaluating usage by program and if they should sample a few facilities and programs to see what information they obtain and how it would be useful.

Commissioner Creech reminded the Board that she wants the meetings televised. She wants the Board to purchase a webcam on Amazon & the meetings placed on youtube.

The Board of Commissioners will be voting on the proposed Preliminary Budget at the August 18 Regular Board Meeting. The meeting will be at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center, 185 Spring Avenue. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm and as all Board Meetings, the public is invited to attend.