HANOVER TOWNSHIP RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD

3630 Jacksonville Road

Bethlehem, PA 18017-9303

Minutes 10/14/2004

 

MEMBER ATTENDANCE:  Karen Kennedy, Steve Crump, Alex Sahadak, Mike Caffrey and Betty Soltys.

 

Call to order:  7:50 PM by Betty Soltys.  Motion to open the meeting by Betty Soltys, seconded by Steve Crump.  Approved by all members. 

 

Review of September 2004 minutes: – Motion to approve by Karen Kennedy, seconded by Steve Crump.  Approved by all members. 

 

7:50 - 8:10:   General Discussion.

·        Nutrition program is full and very well received.

·        Community Center space is fully utilized.

·        Pool repair discussions with contractors were held.  The pool needs to be re-plastered.  The skimmers appear to be leaking water and need to be replaced.  Sections of the concrete decking are buckling and will need to be removed and replaced.  Discussions are also being held for the replacement of the high dive with pool slides.

 

8:10 – 8:20:    Recreation Proposed Priority for 2005.

  • Main pool repairs.
  • Zero depth entry children’s pool.
  • Pharo parking area.
  • Delta Manor Play Equipment (Play structure, Infinity triple climber, swing set, mulching)
  • College Heights Play Equipment (Play structure, swing set, benches, mulching)
  • Crawford Park Equipment (bike racks, benches, picnic tables, play structure, bounce toys, mulching)
  • Additional Rails to Trails.

 

8:20 – 8:55:    Community Center Long Range Planning updates

  • Discussions were held regarding the long term plans for the community center.  The recommendations are:
    • Plan and addition to encompass the current exterior courtyard.  Move the front desk closer to the parking lot with sufficient lobby space (close to the same square footage as currently in place) and use the additional space to make a dedicated aerobics room, expand the pre-school dedicated space and add 1 additional meeting room.  In addition, it is necessary to keep the current game room intact, but it can be moved. 
    • At this time, the fitness room is considered to be of adequate size.  If construction is planned, then the fitness room should be split into 2 areas, one for weights and one for cardio.
    • If a special permit allowing alcohol in meeting room rentals, then regular functions requiring the full use of the kitchen are not expected in any large amount.  Therefore, reduce the size of the kitchen and move only necessary pieces of equipment to the back storeroom.  Dismantle and sell the non-essential pieces of equipment and turn that space into additional usable space.
    • Make plans to add an additional gym on to the back of the HTCC adding a similar size gym (2 small cross courts and one large court) with seating.  This will allow for larger scale tournaments for volleyball and basketball to be held at HTCC. 
    • The addition of an indoor pool was discussed briefly.  Full discussions are being held separately.  The only acceptable scenario to the RAB is for a 4 season pool that has an indoor and outdoor component.  If this ever occurs, the RAB strongly recommends that ample free time be allotted to Township residents for structured lap time and free swim.  If an indoor pool is being considered and will be majority rented and not available to the residents of Hanover Township, then it is not the recommendation to pursue an indoor pool.

 

8:55 – 9:40:  Playing Field Long Range Planning Updates

  • Steve contacted other area municipalities that recently added to their field facilities to find information and rationale. 
  • Other discussions surrounding future uses of the fields including fee structures.  This discussion will be summarized and combined with other sections of long term recreational needs and presented at the December meeting.
  • Discussions around fee structure for field rentals.  Recommendations to follow.
  • Long range planning survey needs to be developed in order to accurately capture the township resident’s future requirements.  Examples to be submitted for the November meeting of the RAB.

 

9:40 – 9:50 – Park Updates

  • Crawford Park - Currently does not have any trash cans. 

Recommendation – The RAB recommends adding 2 trash cans to the Crawford Park, one near the building and one near the lower field.  All members voted in favor.

  • Pharo – No issues
  • Westgate – No issues
  • Birchwood – No issues
  • Village View - No issues
  • Troxell – No issues
  • College Heights - No issues
  • Macada North - No issues

 

9:40 – Motion to close the meeting by Mike Caffrey.  Seconded by Karen Kennedy.  All members voted in favor.

 

Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 11, 2004.

 

Submitted by: K. Kennedy