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Recreation director outlines programs, fund balance and staffing hurdles; board to plan long-term goals
Summary
During the May 7 meeting the Recreation Center Director summarized ongoing programs, a special recreation fund balance of $18,500, facility upgrades, and staffing impacts from federal funding cuts; the board asked staff to prepare a long-term planning discussion for August.
The Recreation Center Director told the Skagway Recreation Board on May 7 that staff continue to run a range of programs while managing fundraising and staffing constraints, and that the board should prepare a focused long-term planning conversation in August.
The director said the borough’s special recreation fund currently holds $18,500 and that the board may recommend how to spend those monies. The director also reported the borough manager and treasurer had confirmed the recreation center may fundraise and had previously maintained a gambling license to run raffles. The director told the board a catering-equipment rental program exists and staff are exploring a contract with SDC to operate the catering function while equipment remains municipal property.
On programming, the director said one garden plot remains available at the community garden area behind the school and outlined upcoming offerings including a fireside chat on May 9, a climbing club, and summer youth programming that has limited slots. The director reported recruitment for a summer intern through Alaska After School Network and AmeriCorps had been canceled because of a federal funding cut the director described in the meeting as approximately “400,000,000.”
Staff also reported several small facility upgrades: new outdoor basketball backboards were installed by public works, the rec center purchased a new dryer to replace a failing unit, and the facility is trialing a summer “ice shack” recreation space. The board discussed operational questions about charging instructors and reimbursing contracted fitness instructors; staff are exploring allowing selected visiting instructors to set rates and charge participants directly.
Board members agreed to schedule a long-term planning meeting to set priorities and potential goals for the board. The board asked staff to return with a focused agenda for an August meeting that could include items such as fundraising priorities, pool planning and other capital or equipment projects.
