Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recreation Programs Community Standards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Recreation Division reports program growth, posts certified coaches list and cites safety work at pools
Summary
Recreation and Parks presented seasonal program updates — including expanded middle-school cheerleading, gymnastics registration gains, and compliance work at Great Mills Pool — and announced a new online list of certified youth coaches and background-check compliance to improve volunteer oversight.
Recreation and Parks staff reported higher participation in several winter programs and launched a public online list of certified youth sports coaches and background-check results to improve oversight of volunteer-led leagues.
Arthur Shepherd, the department’s recreation division manager, said winter youth basketball and middle-school cheerleading drew strong crowds; he described the newly expanded select cheer program and noted families face higher costs for competitive cheer uniforms and travel. “If you look here at some of the pictures ... the uniforms for each child's over $200,” Shepherd said, describing costs for uniforms and warm-ups and noting the department is meeting with cheer stakeholders about funding and equity.
Shepherd also reported pool-safety work: the Great Mills Pool installed drain covers required under the Virginia Graeme Baker Act in time for the compliance deadline and submitted documentation to local and state health officials. He said the pool also has planned small capital work (a shelter for an outdoor blower unit and storage for pool chemicals) and that staff are procuring a replacement tarp for the dome at an estimated early price of $12,000.
On program administration, Shepherd said the department launched a public webpage listing coaches who have completed both the criminal background check and the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (or comparable) training. The online roster shows counts by sport and identifies certified coaches so parents can confirm whether a volunteer coach has completed required checks. “Today ... it came live on the page,” Shepherd said; staff said the display will update each season.
Shepherd also highlighted accreditation for the Judy Hoyer Center, quoting a letter from State Superintendent Nancy Grasmann praising the center for meeting the state’s validated early-childhood standards.
Staffers acknowledged some adult-leisure classes are down in enrollment — a trend Shepherd attributed to the economy — but said overall indoor program attendance rose in December by about 500 participants over the prior year, with lane rentals, lap swim and aerobics showing the largest gains.
Board members asked about certification details; Shepherd said criminal background checks are annual (calendar-year basis) and coaches training is required once, with certification status retained while the background-check remains current.
The department plans follow-up meetings with cheer organizers and will monitor whether fundraising and equipment costs create access issues for lower-income participants.
