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Park & Rec reports swim registrations up, nine AEDs donated and court-repair estimates up to $30,000
Summary
Park and Recreation Director Ever Leonard told the committee swim program sign-ups have risen sharply this year and reported nine AEDs donated by Sisters at Heart. Members discussed facility work including court painting and resurfacing estimates (quotes near $16,000 and up to roughly $30,000 for full work) and options for power at Lions Park.
Park and Recreation Director Ever Leonard told the Norton Park and Recreation Committee that swim program enrollment and season-pass sales are up this summer, and the committee discussed new lifesaving equipment and several potential facility upgrades.
Leonard reported 40 children signed up for swim lessons this year (compared with 17 last year) and said 52 season passes have been sold so far. Members said the department has 24 rental bookings this summer, with only a few open dates, and that sponsorship revenue has climbed compared with last year.
Committee members also described a donation of nine automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and weatherproof boxes from the nonprofit Sisters at Heart, intended to put AEDs in outdoor, publicly accessible locations where building-based units are not reachable outside of hours. The equipment was described as already installed at several sites (including athletic fields and parks) though Lions Park lacks an electrical hookup; members discussed options such as a temporary service, dropping a pole or exploring a solar-powered solution to restore power for an installed unit.
On facilities, members discussed resurfacing and painting options for courts. One contractor quoted roughly $16,000 for a blacktop overlay and a separate estimate of about $30,000 was mentioned for a more complete repainting and surface work that would use lighter colors to reduce heat absorption. Members said they have some appropriated funds available from the board and discussed seeking additional funding to complete the work in a way that will make courts more usable through the summer heat.
Other programming and facility ideas raised included pickleball, multiuse courts that could host street hockey, and expanded youth offerings such as flag football. Members also discussed fall class planning (CPR, babysitting, self-defense) and potential partnerships for future events, including a proposed trail-based 5K and a summer scavenger program using QR codes for participant entries.
No binding decisions or appropriations were made at the meeting; members discussed next steps for budgeting and vendor follow-up.
