Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks director updates board on Fricker Center renovations, meals and after‑school grant bid
Summary
Director Burd told the Parks and Recreation Board that Meals service has returned to the Cobb Center, the city will consider a bid acceptance for Fricker Resource Center renovations next week with construction slated to begin in April, and staff are applying for an Escambia Children's Trust RFP that could fund up to $350,000 per year for after‑school programming.
Parks Director Burd updated the board on staff work and upcoming projects, highlighting renovations and program growth.
Burd reported that Meals service resumed at the Cobb Center yesterday and thanked staff for bringing the Florida Association of Senior Centers conference to Pensacola. She said an acceptance of bid for renovations at the Fricker Resource Center will go to city council next week, that construction is expected to begin in April, and that staff plan to continue after‑school services in the gym through the end of the school year.
On programming, Burd said after‑school attendance has grown from about 135 students at the grant's start to an average of 220–225 per year and that the department is applying for the Escambia Children's Trust RFP; the maximum award on that RFP is $350,000 per year, which Burd said could cover roughly 60% of the program's cost. She also noted Parks & Recreation will continue to pursue professional development for staff and that assistant director interviews are under way.
Board members asked for clarification about how the $10-per-player fees collected under contract are used; Burd said those fees are deposited into the recreation and athletic fund and are used for part‑time maintenance staff, field upkeep and occasional professional development. She gave an annual range estimate for revenue from those fees but noted totals fluctuate by sport and season.
Burd also provided a short project update list: Bayview Dog Park work is complete, windows restoration at Mira Flores is nearly done (electrical work remains), and the department expects to begin Fricker Center construction in April following council bid acceptance.
