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Parks board hears CIP preview, Mineola Pavilion plan and Saratoga Lake study update
Summary
Board members were briefed on several capital and operating items: the Mineola Pavilion proposal (including restrooms and concessions), a council-approved contract for a Saratoga Lake study, and operating-budget guidance that seeks to keep changes within about 2 percent. Staff also reported event and registration figures.
At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board received staff briefings on upcoming capital projects and operating-budget planning ahead of a Community Investment Program (CIP) meeting.
The director said the CIP review is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the council chambers and that the board's Mineola Pavilion proposal will be part of the finance committee discussion. "The main project, is, the Mineola Pavilion," the director said, describing components that include restrooms and concession space. He added that the building is being presented as a potential revenue-generating, full-service concession operation and that staff will present draft budgets and building details to the finance committee.
The director also told the board that city council approved a contract, by a 12–3 vote, to commission a study of Saratoga Lake sedimentation and options for the dam; he said the contract covers a study (not dredging) led by Ayres Consulting Engineering to examine hydrology and options "life with a dam, life without a dam." The director said a kickoff meeting for the study is expected in the coming weeks.
On the operating budget, the director said departments are working within city financial-management parameters and that the goal has been to keep changes within about 2 percent; he described the operating budget as largely static for the coming cycle.
Administrative and program staff reported recent event operations and participation: staff supported beer gardens at Rivers Crossing and Merrill Crest, and marketing efforts are focused on Oktoberfest. Administrative staff reported strong registration activity for before- and after-school care; one staff member said, "in the month of August, I want to say we had over 320 kids get registered for before and after school," easing wait lists. Joanna noted prior large crowds at events, saying the last time the group met with staff they had "about 5,000 people." Pools are closed for the season, sports are underway, and Tribute Tuesday and Oktoberfest are upcoming.
The board also reviewed other CIP items, including proposed updates to Prairie Park tennis courts with possible conversion to pickleball, and noted recent conversations with Alderman Mannion regarding projects in his district. The director urged board members to attend the finance committee meeting where the CIP items will be reviewed.
The board set its next meeting for Oct. 20.
The meeting concluded without further action on the CIP items; most items were informational and will proceed through the finance and council review process.
