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 new low-impact classes called “moving blue.” He described community-center memberships and fees: a $100 annual adult membership, $20 monthly, or $2 per day; and noted 35 monthly and five annual memberships recorded June–August.

On facilities, Daniels said the pool closure stemmed from HVAC work and staging of equipment that will prevent pool access for construction; “it’s not gonna be open for 2 summers,” he told the board. He explained the pool tile and ceiling HVAC work required staging that blocks locker-room access. He said the department is pressing contractors to finish outdoor basketball court hardware and is installing new picnic tables in Pulaski Park.

Daniels described program logistics and hiring: lifeguard recruitment has been difficult; the department previously ran women-only swim hours last summer with two female college lifeguards but those staff returned to college when school resumed. He said the board’s pending pay-scale change should help attract lifeguards. On the splash pad, Daniels said the city uses recycled water and maintenance staff test chlorine and pH daily; county inspectors make random compliance visits.

Rentals and neighborhood impact emerged as a major issue. Daniels said facility rentals must follow a board-approved facility-use agreement, including liability insurance and a fee schedule, and that rental revenue is deposited to the district’s general fund. He acknowledged miscommunication this summer when some stadium events were scheduled without his office’s knowledge and described an August conflict in which multiple events overlapped at Keyworth Stadium. Board members and residents said parking, noise and crowd control at stadium rentals have generated neighborhood complaints; Daniels and others said the solution is stricter adherence to the department’s rental process, use of required security and maintenance staff paid by renters, and better coordination so the recreation office handles scheduling.

The board approved a resolution, “approval of recreation department salary schedule,” by voice vote (6 ayes, 1 absent). The revised schedule is intended to raise lifeguard wages to improve recruitment and staffing for future pool openings and outdoor events.

Board members discussed operational adjustments such as advertising programs more widely, running outreach at South-side locations, and using Playfair or other lots for overflow parking when large rentals are approved. Daniels said he will continue to press external partners, including the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy and contractors, to finish outstanding court hardware and to help site amenities for neighborhood access.

Why it matters: Recreation programs and facility rentals have daily impact on residents’ quality of life, public-safety planning, and district finances. The board’s salary approval aims to address an immediate staffing hurdle that affects pool reopening and supervised aquatic programming.

What’s next: Daniels said the department will advertise recruiting and work with central office on implementing the new pay schedule; he will also tighten scheduling coordination for stadium rentals and pursue completion of court and pool construction with partners.