Recreation division to renew Lexington Park gymnastics lease at higher rent; expands classes at Northern Senior Center

Jessica Hale, recreation division manager for St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks, told the board at its Dec. 1 meeting that staff is negotiating a five-year renewal of the county's lease for the Lexington Park gymnastics center, and that the landlord proposes raising monthly rent from $4,669 to $5,707.

The division plans to cover the higher cost through user fees within the program; Hale said the gymnastics program currently serves about 400 participants and 35 competitive-team members and that participation is “down a little bit from previous years, but still have a lot of participation at the facility.” She told the board half of the proposed rent increase results from a newly-assessed common-area maintenance fee that will cover trash removal, grass care and snow removal, and the remainder reflects market adjustments since the prior lease term.

The renewal is expected to take effect when the current 10-year lease ends in May; Hale said the department is in the process of finalizing the five-year agreement. The board asked staff about the history of past rent adjustments; a staff member said there had been occasional increases over the decade but that staff did not have the full 10-year rate history at the meeting.

Hale also described a memorandum of understanding with the St. Mary's County Department of Aging and Human Services to use the Northern Senior Center for evening classes beginning in the spring. The division plans to offer photography and computer classes using the center’s computer lab, fitness classes such as Zumba and ballroom dancing for participants age 13 and up, and some yoga classes. Hale said the evening classes will be available to all ages but are aimed at residents in that portion of the county.

On after-school programming, Hale said the department’s 21st Century program at the Carver Center recently hosted a dinner-and-craft night at Lexington Park Elementary that drew close to 100 children and their parents—well above the expected 20–50 attendees. She said the school superintendent, Dr. Marciano, will be on a panel at the Maryland Association of Counties conference in January to present the partnership as a model.

Hale told the board the department is redesigning its website to improve online registration and make program information easier to find; the new site is in the design phase and staff hopes to launch by Jan. 1, 2012, though she cautioned that timing will depend on development progress.

On therapeutic and adaptive programs, staff said Recreation and Parks has been recognized as the second Paralympic Sport Club in Maryland, based on work in adaptive aquatics and other adaptive offerings. Christy Bishop (therapeutic recreation staff) is expected to brief the board in January or February on plans to use the designation to pursue grants and build programs, including outreach to wounded warriors and military medical centers.

The division also announced the Will Smith Leadership Award will enter its third year; staff said the award recognizes outstanding leaders in youth basketball and that presentation will occur at the youth all‑star games in March. Former college coach Tubby Smith—a local graduate—has supported the award by donating autographed basketballs and equipment, staff said.

The presentation concluded with staff answering board questions about private/public partnerships for classes and about the gymnastics market analysis. Hale said staff had done market comparisons and believed the proposed rent still represents a reasonable per-square-foot cost compared with current local rates.