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Parks & Recreation committee forwards YMCA budget, concession contract with Game Time and new park fees; pickleball policy adopted
Summary
The parks committee heard a YMCA budget presentation, approved forwarding a concession agreement extension with Game Time (8% gross revenue), endorsed field-fee changes and youth-program contracts, and adopted a pickleball reservation and fee policy adjusted to $8 per hour.
The Parks & Recreation committee advanced multiple items at its Nov. 14 committee meeting, moving several for board consideration and voting to adopt a new pickleball reservation policy.
YMCA budget: Anne Hayes of the YMCA presented the organization’s proposed 2025 operating budget, with projected revenue just under $4.2 million, operating expenses about $3.2 million and a contribution margin of roughly $962,000. Tom Verheyen and Hayes explained the YMCA’s reserve accounts and said the city would receive 50% of the remaining balance in early 2025 and again in 2026 under current arrangements.
Concession contract: Parks staff recommended extending the agreement with Game Time Tournaments to operate city-owned concession stands at an 8% share of gross sales. Council members raised questions about the utilities and whether 8% is the right split; staff noted that utilities are on shared meters, complicating a straight utility charge. The committee voted to forward the extension to the full board (motion recorded; motion carries).
Field-use policy and youth programs: Staff proposed athletic field usage changes (increased weekend tournament fees) and new/modified sports programming including an additional weekday coed softball night, Sunday kickball doubleheaders, expanded youth soccer, adjusted volleyball nights, removal of an inactive Wiffle Ball line item and continuation of Scott Gallagher instructional sessions for soccer (city pays $15 per child per session). The athletic policy changes were forwarded to the board; the Scott Gallagher agreement and the sports-program packet were also forwarded.
Pickleball policy: The committee discussed a reservation model based on peer cities with open-play windows and reservable slots; the board adjusted the fee to $8/hour to simplify per-player math and required reservation deadlines and refund authority be set by the director. The policy as amended passed in committee.
Equipment and coverings: Staff presented bids for player bench covers and a pickleball court bench cover. After debate over fabric vs. metal covers (longevity and cost), the committee voted to continue the item to get metal-cover pricing and bring alternatives back in December.
Why it matters: these items shape recreational access, vendor relationships and fee revenue for the parks enterprise; they also set program offerings for youth and adults across 2025.
