Parker narrows summer recreation program to June to avoid July gym rate hike

Parker town council members and staff met in a special session to finalize the summer recreation program schedule and budget and agreed to run the program June 2June 27 to avoid a planned facility rental rate increase in July. Program staff reported the only available space this summer is the PHS old gym, which the liaison said uses swamp coolers rather than air conditioning.

The program liaison told the group that, per the school districts notice, "all of June for 4 hours it would be $40. For eight hours it would be $80 a day," and that the districts July rates would be substantially higher. To avoid the higher fee, members and staff discussed and settled on scheduling all four weeks in June rather than splitting sessions between June and July.

Why it matters: Running the entire program in June keeps facility costs lower and preserves the towns modest budget for staffing and supplies while still offering a free program for families. Staff estimated the instructor stipend and facility costs and identified next steps for recruitment, paperwork and risk management.

Council and staff reviewed pay and the rough budget. Participants discussed paying instructors $25 per hour for roughly 30 hours per week; staff estimated that would total about $3,000 for the four-week period. Facility rental was estimated at about $800 for the month in June, and staff said a supplies stipend last year ran about $500. The group agreed staff would inventory existing equipment (library games, donated balls) before buying new supplies.

On meals and logistics, a staff member reported that Karen Bonds confirmed the Wallace Dome will provide summer meals: "They have breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 and lunch from 11:30 to 12:30 for all kids at no cost ages 0 to 18," which staff said could simplify supervision and drop-off logistics by allowing children to walk between the dome and the school site.

Staff discussed staffing sources and recruitment timelines. They plan to advertise openings on the town website, Indeed and social media; the group proposed closing applications on the 12th (month not specified in the transcript) and holding interviews at the next council meeting. Staff said placements through workforce programs such as Arizona at Work and CRI remain an option but can take time and require case-by-case qualification; staff volunteered to contact named program liaisons and local club contacts to secure helpers.

To reduce budget pressure, members suggested and tentatively scheduledclub takeover Fridayswhere local youth organizations (police explorers, FFA, school clubs) would present activities and supply materials. Council also raised questions about volunteers and minors serving in helper roles: whether under-18 volunteers create liability, whether adult advisers with fingerprint clearance must accompany clubs, and whether volunteers from partner programs must complete town forms. Staff said they would check with legal on clearance and liability requirements and emphasized that facility usage forms and proof of insurance are required by the district.

What happens next: Staff will advertise the position, collect applications, conduct interviews at the next meeting and finalize assignments; they will also complete facility reservation paperwork and proof-of-insurance submission before program start. The work session ended at 3:29 p.m.