The Trenton Family Aquatic Center increased its attendance by more than 5,000 people this summer and decreased personnel expenses by more than $6,000, according to information presented at Wednesday’s meeting of the Trenton Park Board.
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The report showed that total attendance at the TFAC was 15,831, which was an increase from 10,096 last year and the highest attendance in the past five years. Expenditures for part-time wages fell from $58,699.25 in 2010 to $52,540.77 in 2011. A total of 44 employees were hired this year with all employees being certified lifeguards. Board member Mike Bosley, who is on the pool committee, said the TFAC benefitted from the good weather and was open 72 days, closing for only seven days due to weather.
Admission receipts totaled $66,690.39, with another $16,579.31 in revenue from concessions, for a total of $83,269.70. Pool expenditures, not including a $150,000 payment on the facility, totaled $115,891. With the payment, total expenditures were $265,891.91.
Bosley emphasized what has been said in the past, which is that if the revenues cover the wages and concessions, it can be considered to have been a successful year. The revenues exceeded the total of those two areas by $21,164.32.
Board members also heard a report from the Grounds Committee, which has decided to locate the new tennis court at Moberly Park in the location of the existing courts, however, 14 trees need to be removed from that area to allow for the dirt work and construction of the court. An estimate provided to Park Superintendent Jason Shuler showed a cost of $14,000 for the tree removal and another $7,500 for dirt work. Board members agreed to allow private citizens to cut down the trees and use the wood for firewood. Those doing so would be required to sign a waiver and to leave a four-foot stump. The stumps and root balls would be removed at an estimated cost of $300 per tree. The board voted to seek formal bids for the dirt workand stump removal.
It was agreed not to offer free aquatic center passes to volunteer firefighters as had been requested by Trenton Fire Chief Rick Morris at the September meeting. Board members said they felt they might be setting a precedent and could not afford to offer passes to every group that might ask. Board members also discussed the Eastside Park parking lot, where lines were recently painted for a motorcycle safety class that is held at the lot. Board members said they have no problem with the lines being painted on the parking lot as the class saves lives and is an economic benefit to the community.
Board President Paul Bruinsma discussed a calendar that would be included on the city website, allowing people to see activities scheduled in the city parks and was given permission to move forward with that project. In addition, the board discussed the need to replace the drive through the Rock Barn area from Oklahoma Avenue to the Snyder/12th Street entrance/exit. Shuler said the Trenton Street Department provided labor to fill pot holes on the drive to make it ready for the upcoming Missouri Day Festival but that long-term repairs are needed. It was discussed that several entities actually use the area and the board decided to have the Finance Committee put together a cost estimate and to determine which other entities will be approached to help pay for the project.
In other business, the board tabled finalization of employee goals and set a special meeting for 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19 to discuss the long-range plan and the Rock Barn drive project.
Shuler gave his report, indicating that Grundy Electric Cooperative employees have trenched and installed the underground wiring to each outfield light pole at Burleigh Grimes Field. They installed the electrical wiring up each pole to the first junction box. He said park employees have completed crack filling, sealing and striping the two parking lots at lower Moberly Park and the upper Moberly shelterhouse parking lot. In addition, filling cracks on the walking trail at Eastside Park has also been completed and the surface will be sealed this week.
Shuler reported on the 2011 Athletic Field Maintenance Forum he and the other full-time employee, Scott Lynch, attended recently in Des Moines, IA. The training focused on baseball and softball field maintenance, soil composition, grade of infield, building pitcher’s mounds, repairing batter’s boxes and other areas, soil compaction and outfield turf. He said he would like to look into the possibility of purchasing a deep tine core aerator to be used in the park system.
With the exception of the special meeting scheduled for Oct. 19, the board’s next regular meeting is set for 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3.