[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612803,"mediaKeyId","2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae","parentId",2885911,"title","Board presses staff on youth-sports affordability as parks staff confirm scholarships for contractors and detail reservoir concessions plan","audioSeconds",454,"startMs",388000,"endMs",842000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae&start=388&end=842","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae/thumbnail_388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612803/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Board-presses-staff-on-youth-sports-affordability-as-parks-staff-confirm-scholarships-for-contractors-and-detail-reservoir-concessions-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612803-8dfbfc02b6b204d2063409d300a87dc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983145&Signature=frAsE30J6zxtUJIDplVgtR24eYPuElY3VSVHPKDKUwZlp-GMiMpZ9Gc9IA~XHvyhh5TCYj6Kq7QFxuANjq8I8FG5162nocBk1cGCePi03iFhvRPYMNGbmEAT~sxUMVvEWr1UI0YyvzjeY~xv-nG02OEr9eSt0BZb7v8t0zEbdt4S3VpF22hUwxhpmrCCybEFERFoeu8oHKyxfsM2fWB~soXFePbnXuf~QgBA4ngJ6KTkqxdQxniAFCq3kWLtJRTnOUzOMzvKkib966XcemttaPA6vDxLxG1iBtKZWsjoL8gpsUQtsfht52VUd0k2rl6PtK1-Qd9aYTij9ofHkMrPcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boulder City, CO","date","2025-04-05T12:30:57.563Z","article","Board members raised affordability and access concerns for city‑managed, third‑party recreation contracts and received two related updates: staff described contract changes that emphasize scholarships and reporting, and staff outlined a new concession relationship at the Boulder Reservoir.

Contract service providers and affordability

During the consent‑agenda discussion about the annual review of contract service providers, a board member asked whether the city can structure provider contracts to ensure affordability for youth programs. Scott Schuttenberg, deputy director, told the board the city requires contractors to offer financial aid or scholarships but “we cannot mandate their pricing structure.” He said staff are revising contract language to add stronger reporting expectations and to reflect the department’s community access objectives.

Brian Berry, who has worked with contractor programs, added that the city can negotiate how rental space and fees are marketed and that higher‑cost programs are often connected to space rentals rather than city‑operated programs. Staff said the Community Access Framework project — a department initiative discussed earlier in 2024 — is intended to create incentives and tiers so third‑party providers align with Parks & Recreation goals on affordability, access and program priorities.

Reservoir concessions and restaurant plans

On the Boulder Reservoir, deputy director Scott Schuttenberg said Rocky Mountain Paddleboard has stepped forward as a partner to provide concessions and services under a one‑year agreement that allows the city and operator to test operations in the peak season. Schuttenberg said Rocky Mountain Paddleboard is pursuing a liquor license and that the liquor‑licensing process “typically takes 3 to 4 months,” so alcohol availability this summer is uncertain.

Board members asked whether people who come only to the restaurant would have to pay reservoir entrance fees. Schuttenberg replied, “we would not expect people to pay fees to get in to just use the restaurant,” and staff said they will test options such as vouchers and trials to avoid creating an access barrier for patrons.

What changed in contracts and next steps

Staff said the department will revise contracts to strengthen expectations for scholarship availability, reporting on who is being served, and alignment with department goals. The Community Access Framework will present tools for incentivizing partner behavior (for example reduced space costs or prioritized slots in exchange for broader access commitments). Staff said renewal timelines vary by contract and that detailed policy decisions about mandatory pricing would require different legal authority.

Ending

No formal contract pricing mandates were adopted at the meeting. The board heard that scholarship and reporting requirements will be emphasized in future contracts and that the reservoir concessions agreement is intended as a one‑year, testable approach, with staff returning as the concession and access experiments develop.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3-31-25 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Board members raised affordability and access concerns for city-managed, third‑party recreation contracts and received two related updates: staff described contract changes that emphasize scholarships and reporting, and staff outlined a new concession relationship at the Boulder Reservoir.","taxTitle","Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado","taxId",3386,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612812,"Parks staff outline Civic Area Phase 2: $18 million, floodplain limits, summer public pop-ups and 2027 construction target",2202,1003000,3205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae&start=1003&end=3205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae/thumbnail_1003000.jpg","/articles/6612812/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Parks-staff-outline-Civic-Area-Phase-2-18-million-floodplain-limits-summer-public-pop-ups-and-2027-construction-target","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612812-e2b9b45ddf499bed401e79e9ac7d647f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983145&Signature=XPGywsu8BORujJ-JIKhVYK5m60Y9fcYTkZ2DVK6auoEk5tVJl3uyKSd6MoGnBaIpwE3exp8wbGGhZ6HclKmFmSB201-JW5NyYlgzG3CMzQ9a9v-gH2DeNYa5bbq5-lN6GW-3lYY3DsnwWebbD1w8W5K14zHhq-6OP2fY1BlAcIO9rE0gXR-2HF4gT-7IrN2x3Msg2lx9smlI6IUwXYGj7R~fHv-Bv7VlNWNW8cqjw-WncgLBfQolT26YoHLLKOppstrqGRLDwWWkuXAvCoC1APjr9p4MPV-2nVsWAduNy~85Ydcgo-Hdj4nbjdJVWlxmwiTwv1g3NinGVkrTffu~Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board heard a planning-analysis briefing on Civic Area Phase 2 from senior landscape architect Shihomi Kuryagawa and planning senior manager Mark Davidson, who said the project has an $18,000,000 allocation and will advance design, community engagement and a limited first construction phase.

The phase 2 funding is “for both” planning and construction of a smaller portion of the overall civic-area concept, Kuryagawa said. She told the board the project team has completed two rounds of community engagement and expects a third, mid‑summer engagement window centered on pop‑ups and prototype activations that will run from June into September.

Why it matters: the Civic Area sits between the Pearl Street Mall and the University of Colorado and will be a focus of downtown activity when the Sundance Film Festival stages events in Boulder in 2027. Staff said that timing increases the urgency of phasing, but that the full park project and major construction remain on the city’s multi‑year schedule.

What staff presented

- Budget and scope: Allie Rhodes, the city’s director of parks and recreation, and the design team identified that the $18,000,000, funded primarily from the community culture, resiliency and safety tax (CCRS), will cover planning and design work and a limited portion of construction; larger build‑out would require additional funding or partnerships.

- Technical constraints: the team’s site analysis shows most of the park area lies in floodplain or high‑hazard flood zones. Kuryagawa emphasized that “bench‑type” amenities can be placed in high‑hazard zones but occupiable buildings cannot, and that any changes that would shift the hazard boundary would require a federal Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) process that can take nine months to a year.

- East Bookend and parking: the East Bookend — the urban parcel east of the park near the library — was presented as the primary developable area. Staff described four development themes from a market/economic analysis (community residential, food and beverage, health and recreation, and arts/culture) and reiterated that no formal parking decisions have been made. Rhodes told the board that accessible parking will be retained and that staff will try to avoid a net loss of parking citywide, but added the details will be resolved during design and in coordination with the library and other stakeholders.

- Emerging design priorities and engagement: Rios, the contracted design team, has developed schemes that community respondents rated most highly for features including an expanded farmers market, upgrades to the Bandshell, a beer garden or food‑service areas, a “Boulder Beach” creek connection and a food‑truck plaza. The team reported about 1,500 comment responses across windows 1 and 2, a 100‑person workshop and multiple pop‑ups and CU and library outreach efforts. Staff said summer engagement will include temporary nature‑play installations and large‑scale graphics or models to visualize alternatives.

- Novel features and feasibility work: the design team is investigating feasibility for recreation features raised by the public, including a managed zip line; staff said feasibility studies are underway and that any such feature would be operated and managed if approved.

- Governance and operations: staff are studying governance models used elsewhere — for example conservancy or nonprofit partners — that could help fund and coordinate ongoing activation, programming and maintenance. Rhodes said such a model usually supplements but does not replace city capital funding and often focuses on programming and activation rather than core capital costs.

Board questions and staff responses

Board members pressed about floodplain safety, timing for deconstruction of some municipal buildings in the project area, and how a future parking strategy would affect library access. Kuryagawa and Davidson said structural and permitting work is underway and that the city will not begin demolition of certain buildings until staff have moved to the Western City Campus; staff said that detailed deconstruction schedules and cost estimates are part of later engineering work.

Board members also asked how the Sundance 2027 presence might affect schedule. Kuryagawa said the project team will look for micro‑investments and interim improvements to strengthen key connections but that the full park construction schedule remains on the multi‑year path that targets major construction activity in 2027.

What comes next

Staff said they will take board feedback into the April 17 council briefing and will run a concept/design engagement program this summer (June–September) with schematic design expected at the end of 2025 and technical/construction documents in 2026 ahead of construction phases beginning in 2027. Staff said any additional capital beyond the $18,000,000 allocation will require separate funding decisions and possible public‑private partnerships.

Ending

The board did not take action on Civic Area policy or funding at the meeting; staff asked the board for questions and said public engagement details and concept alternatives will return to the board and to city council as the project advances.","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board heard a planning-analysis briefing on Civic Area Phase 2 from senior landscape architect Shihomi Kuryagawa and planning senior manager Mark Davidson, who said the project has an $18,000,000 allocation and will advance design, community engagement and a limited first construction phase.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612798,"Parks & Recreation Advisory Board approves consent agenda including minutes and director updates",713,368000,1081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae&start=368&end=1081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6612798/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Parks-Recreation-Advisory-Board-approves-consent-agenda-including-minutes-and-director-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612798-1540ba29a287bdb4c9774d68a7e72ceb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983145&Signature=b3ChWqZ16SqxmMkRu4I-s9pRKe7ksOcveWCugQtBUkSnoYe0ijxuxd7RzzwX~3m1SdqwR2f7X8EVzmcN7c~g4eZQJyTFLW7kILEhDQL01bZHjI33fKBZ67WJbNyUIkwu0tsLDk23ldLFgBcCYtK9skM~YAQmbAHx23yOaRSxasUMBRdS7DaFzAH8ccRN4g54WyqY15eVOSRTyLitXTCuuTq6GjI6DtLIbPeoaO-yRQKF1opYARA1eNCPw-o6yOyLPHcxBEdO0EBH9W13KeEX6J1btNeVnddJVVAxFGrH~TKty0aCH2CEX1vaf2ZfKha5nhpZ6lrKmyXZHMTvAxxueA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board approved its consent agenda by unanimous voice vote after a short discussion about contract service provider affordability and reservoir operations.

Procedure and vote

Board member Jenny moved to approve the consent agenda; board member Bernie seconded the motion. The board chair called for the vote; the motion carried after unanimous voice assent and no recorded oppositions.

What was on the consent agenda

Staff described the consent package as including minutes from the prior meeting and updates from the director of Parks & Recreation and operations. During discussion a board member raised questions about the annual review of contract service providers and whether the city can structure contracts to ensure affordable youth programming. Staff responded that the city requires scholarship offerings from contractors and plans to strengthen contract reporting and expectations; staff also outlined work on the Community Access Framework to incentivize alignment with city values.

Ending

The consent agenda passed and staff will send the minutes for signature. The discussion prompted staff to note contract language revisions and to continue work on access and affordability in upcoming contract renewals and the Community Access Framework project.","The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board moved, seconded and approved the consent agenda, which included approval of prior minutes and department updates. A consent‑agenda question prompted staff discussion about contract service provider affordability but the board approved the consent item without recorded opposition.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612807,"Parks & Recreation reports 2024: operating budget nearly fully spent, CIP underspend and rising recreation demand",539,4640000,5179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae&start=4640&end=5179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2885911-86105551ad16cef8bd56264b804425ae/thumbnail_4640000.jpg","/articles/6612807/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Parks-Recreation-reports-2024-operating-budget-nearly-fully-spent-CIP-underspend-and-rising-recreation-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612807-4a94abe62987d84578880a995f3a7e27/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983145&Signature=K5X2dKRnEEm2e4zp3nQJUPgXj4NlN-gv2njfeEpD6jo7Q9ucYkshVZgNig5N33c1qcbl95QJ4ir2GwSjNBIza4hRL7Od6-5gwTRuI3YmUKemSxjQO0y7dqCKVaQZrvQlL40OfLcNRmjEUI1-33LyI4QUCIoCRr8HPgNzWy9bn3MLwqpxMzGi18eCZHkd3z-XKoZVGw2~~Sqorg4IfspX0qFHxh-NWxgJTN7HfxEXAtdgur54zIHWACAfizC3s-sBSXUKicxja7JmxIXFO4iCNg1Tx6fZzvwXKqn1rsE4gir77g4tNSAUCpU4-GCvoitcMnLz8yBuyGzZFVo4ZMhrrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff briefed the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on the department’s 2024 financial results and key metrics, reporting higher earned revenue and participation while flagging capital spending shortfalls and ongoing cost pressures.

The department presentation said the operating budget was about 96% spent in 2024 — a level staff described as close to best practices — while capital improvement project (CIP) spending was about 34% of the budgeted CIP for the year. Staff attributed the CIP underspend to the multiyear nature of planning, permitting and design and said future budgets will phase larger project totals across multiple years.

Key figures and trends

- Operating and reserves: staff reported operating spending at about 96% of budget and said better budget realism and multi‑year phasing will help match CIP budgets with realistic delivery schedules.

- Recreation Activity Fund (RAF): earned revenue for the RAF grew year over year. Staff reported approximately 16% year‑over‑year growth in earned revenue for the department’s quasi‑enterprise rec fund, while acknowledging some revenues were one‑time or ARPA‑related in prior years.

- Visitation and program trends: recreation‑center visitation was up about 20% year over year; outdoor pools increased and golf rounds have grown substantially since 2019, with golf reported as roughly 46% higher over a five‑year span. Reservoir visitation was cited as slower to recover than other sites.

- Subsidies and transfers: the general‑fund subsidy to recreation remained at roughly $1.6 million annually. Staff also noted a one‑time transfer of roughly $3.3 million from a dedicated 0.25¢ sales‑tax fund in prior years to support community benefit programs.

- Staffing: department benefited‑eligible headcount has fluctuated since 2019. Staff reported a 2019 peak of roughly 144.25 benefited FTE, a dip to about 121 FTE in 2021, and an FY2024 headcount near 152–154 benefited positions. Nonstandard/hourly workers remain a large operational cohort — staff cited about 600 nonstandard employees logging roughly 180,000 hours per year.

Staff cautioned that cost escalation on projects and rising personnel costs have outpaced revenue growth in some areas. They said fee increases have helped revenue but warned that raising user fees can create access barriers for priority populations. As a result, staff noted the department is working on a community access framework to incentivize third‑party providers to align with city goals and to structure financial aid and scholarships more effectively.

Quotes and board reaction

Jackson, the staff presenter, told the board that the department is “cautiously optimistic” but that “cost escalation is outpacing our revenue growth,” and that the long‑term financial strategy will be used to align services and funding priorities.

Board members asked about comparisons to other cities, the makeup of full‑time staff versus hourly hires, and whether recreation programs could be expanded in‑house rather than rely on private providers. Staff said those tradeoffs are part of the community access and partnership work under way and will be part of budget development in spring and summer 2025.

Next steps

Staff will use the retreat and upcoming budget development cycle to fold departmental performance into citywide long‑term financial planning and will return to the board with more detailed FTE comparisons and the Community Access Framework results later in 2025.

Ending

The report framed 2024 as a year of recovery and growth for participation and earned revenue, with capital delivery and cost pressures remaining the department’s principal financial risks.","Department staff told the advisory board that 2024 operating spending reached roughly 96% of budget while capital project spending ran at about one-third of the planned CIP; recreation revenue and center visitations rose but cost escalation and infrastructure needs remain concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board presses staff on youth-sports affordability as parks staff confirm scholarships for contractors and detail reservoir concessions plan

Parks staff outline Civic Area Phase 2: $18 million, floodplain limits, summer public pop-ups and 2027 construction target

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board approves consent agenda including minutes and director updates

Parks & Recreation reports 2024: operating budget nearly fully spent, CIP underspend and rising recreation demand