Recreation director reports strong summer participation, pool closed for HVAC work; board approves pay schedule

Recreation Director Rick Daniels told the Hamtramck Board of Education that the department’s summer programs drew nearly 100 children and a steady senior turnout, but that the community pool remained closed because of HVAC work and likely will remain closed next summer. The board later approved a recreation department salary schedule intended to help recruit lifeguards and seasonal staff.

Daniels summarized the summer recreation program: “We almost hit a 100 student, 99,” a paid $25 resident fee covered field trips and meals, and the eight-week day program ran roughly 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children ages 5 to 12. He said the department provided 1,351 total session attendances over a five-day professional development period for staff and that summer youth activities included T-ball (nine participants), soccer (about 12 in summer, 50–60 in spring), and weekly field trips.

Daniels said senior programs remained active, including a regular senior exercise class, senior trips (Detroit Princess cruise, Toledo Zoo seniors’ day, Turkeyville dinner theater) and…