All right, good evening. I'll now call this meeting of the East Lo Recreation Commission to order at 6 PM on April 29th. Uh, I'll ask for a roll call. I'm Bill Raldi, >> Nancy Roberts, Carolyn Bliss, >> Don Le Page, >> Donna Prather
and Molly Keys is on the way. >> Perfect. Um, so you guys all received uh the minutes from March 4th prior to our meeting. Are there any corrections that anyone has to submit to this?
>> Don, I already made one correction. It should be basketball, not baseball, and I already noted. >> Okay. Uh, is there a motion to approve the minutes as amended? >> I'll make a motion. >> I will second. All in favor?
>> Perfect. Minutes are passed. Uh next up we have opportunity for guests to address the commission. We have a lot of guests with us today. Anyone like to voice any to the commission at this time?
>> Hi, welcome. >> Thank you. Maybe you want to repeat that information. >> Um, as you guys just walked in, this was the the portion of the meeting where public guest if they would like to make any comments or ask any questions or
>> address the commission. >> Okay. >> How's that? >> All right. If uh hearing none, we'll move on to the director's report. >> Okay. Great. Welcome. Uh the first thing I want to start out with is to um he's not here tonight. It's his birthday, but
our new aquatic director is um you can come out if you're >> here. >> Hi, I'm interrupting already. Sorry. >> We we have a new aquatic director. His name is Max Langford. He's not here tonight. It's his birthday and he chose
to spend it with his friends and not us. So, but and I also wanted to um welcome Molly Key. She's new to our um rec commission. Um >> just a little background. I'll go back
to Max. Um he is uh he's been working at Six Flags for the last oh gosh, eight years or so. He's an Ellis instructor, so he can train all of our lifeguards, run our community pool in the summer,
and uh program and staff our community pool when it opens up in the fall. So, we're glad to have him. It turns out that his parents both graduated from East Long Meadow High School. His dad, his granddad is Bob Wallace, the former
uh fire chief. And his grandmother uh was a carrier uh that carried the mail around until about three years ago. Didn't find that out until after he was already hired. So, he has he has East Long Meadow roots.
Molly is a a resident here in town and she is also the South Windsor Parks and Recck Director. So, she's going to have a wealth of knowledge to share with us. Um, the other thing I was wanted to tell you is that we have an Eagle Scout, uh,
Ben Langford, I mean, not Langford, >> Layman. >> Layman's. >> Nice. Uh that's going to be overdoing the pine null volleyball sand pit. He's going to take it's grown in the grass. It's it's really just a sand pile for
the littles in the summer. But the plan is to to clean all that up and then maybe have some threeonree volleyball tournaments and start doing some um activities up there. Uh he is also taking the original pine null sign that
was uh made by an Eagle Scout back in the day and he's going to restore that and and then we hope to get the Eagle Scout and I won't tell you his name because it's going to be a surprise to him but
present the present his sign and uh as an former Eagle Scout with the new Eagle Scout project. East Lung Meadow has a new full-time plumber. I'm really excited about that with the pool. So, that's a big deal for
for the pool piece. Um on next week on the 5th, we are moving all the swim equipment from the high school to Pine Null. That's something that we do every spring, but this time it won't be going back to the school. Obviously, GMA Fence
is working on the baseball backs stop fencings with with the money that we received from CPC funding and they'll eventually they're going to put some fencing up at Pineol, but we'll talk about that later. The Pineol lo numbers are still low. We'll talk about that,
too. But this week, I don't know if it's the weather or if it's parents going, "Oh no, what am I going to do with these kiddos?" But we're seeing some registrations coming in. We're going to start filling Pine Wool Pool next week if everything goes right. They had an opening and there was a few pipes that
had some issues, but that's not unusual after the winter. Uh we've had three lifeguard classes and one new renewal class this winter and spring already. Um we're sending out offer letters. We're going to have a whole new um lifeguard crew this summer.
And then we have a new lifeguard class coming up on May 29th and 30th. Um, and then the pool will open to the community on uh the 23rd of May.
Uh, let's see here. As far as sports go, everything's running. Boys and girls lacks, soccer's going. Um, tennis. We finally, if you will look at our newsletter or our website, tennis is a partnered sport, but it's still ran by the infield tennis
club, but they have pickle ball and tennis lessons that you can sign up for now that are live. Uh, the Marlins uh swim team is full and they started practicing this week at Kylie um until we get into uh Pine Null and the new
pool. cheerleading football and high school summer soccer registrations are live. And for special events, we have Earth Day coming up this Saturday. If you want to join me at the transfer station, that's where I'll be helping the health department. We have a shredding event
with Freedom Co uh Credit Union on May 30th. You can bring five boxes of items that you want shredded for free. same day we have a pineal cleanup uh from noon I mean 8:30 to noon and we're asking for volunteers. We've got some
high school students still trying to get some hours for um school. Summerfest is going to be on 66 at Brown Farm 11 to 4. We'll have East Village Tavern there. Um rent a tent. We'll have a bounce house.
Uh we will have a dunk tank. And Ralph, I was going to ask you in private, but since you're here, just kidding. >> To climb into the tank, you're saying? Oh, jeez. >> Um,
and then we'll have Clover uh farms, Cloverbrook Farms there with pony rides and goats, and it's just be another fun day. Uh, refreshments. And then for celebrate 250 the 250th the
wreck and rotary and the actually the whole town will be providing family fun recreation on the 26th 27th 28th and 29th at center field from 5 to 7. So join us there um for the beer garden and
we'll have uh refreshments and activities. >> No. Yes. June, sorry. Yes. Leading up to the fourth. Yeah. So that's the director's report. >> Thank you very much, Donna.
Uh we'll now move on to the rec commission members reports. Anybody have anything they would like to address to the rest of the committee? Uh if not then I'll go ahead. Um still working on trying to get a quote from pit printing on a potential
brown farm signage to submit for CBC funds to try to get a sign out there to actually let people know what the property is for when we have such events as Summerfest and October Fest there. Um still have not heard back from them yet. So I'm not able to submit that in time.
I believe for the spring submission cuz I think that was up last week. >> It's May 15th. >> Oh, it's May 15th. All right. So, there may be hope. I will try to get in touch with them one more time um to try to get that submitted uh to the CBC committee
to get that approved. That is it from there. Um if no one else has anything else, then we can move on to old business and Donna, go ahead and take it away. >> Okay. Thanks. So, thank you guys for
coming. Please sign in um for us. So, here we are. Pineol. How many people have been to Pineol Recreation Area? Oh, good. So, some of these uh pictures won't seem sorry won't seem unfamiliar.
Okay, James. So, yes, thank you for coming and welcome to Pine Nol where fun happens here. Pineol is the home of the day camp, our community pool, our Marlin swim team, T-ball, special events, rentals, and more. And you guys, you can
turn around. You don't want to kink your necks all night long. Okay. Heat. Heat. N. to give you a little background on Pine Null. It was originally the home of uh Pineol Swim School that was created by
Charles Silva Sylvia and he uh once he got older and his family uh sold the property to the town of Islam in 1996. It's located at 1974 Allen Street. So
part of the property is in Springfield and that's why we have the Springfield address. The rest of the property is in East Long Meadow. In 2015, the pool was completely dug out and re um furbished. In 2018, the new administration building
was open and uncompleted and opened and we used it the summer of 2018. We have a problem. Uh when I first arrived, camp was always a staple. it was always full and we were thriving to in 2020. We were the only camp around
the area that ran um a camp through COVID and we made it through the summer without any COVID cl um cases. In 2021, numbers were were good. They stayed uh firm. In 2022, because the camp would fill up in a
matter of hours, people signed up. They gave a deposit of $25 to hold their spot, but then they planned vacations. So then later we saw the trend that people when it was time to pay the Thursday before they went to camp would say, "Oh, I don't I'm not coming." So we
had the $25, but we didn't have the rest of the revenue. And at that point, parents had found other camps to go through. So we we saw a decrease in um attendance. 23 2023 obviously we were back up back up where we wanted to be.
We had 160 kids that summer. It turned out that summer was hot, rainy, stormy. Um and the kids and the campers I mean well the staff and the campers were all in the buildings and there were days
when it was rough. The staff was burnt um was burnt. the campers were um getting frustrated. We had a lot of behavioral problems that summer and we were like, we can't keep up at this
pace. So, in 24 we said, well, we're going to only take a 100 kids. Let's stop, you know, looking at quantity and go for quality. But that didn't happen either. We didn't fill up. And of course, I'm saying, okay, what did we do
wrong? Was it that we had a tough summer before? So, I started asking around. I'm like asking people that would normally come to us, where are you going? And I got, well, we tried the JCC. We tried Roots here in town. We tried um the
Springfield College camp. Um they have canoeing and rock climbing. And I was just like, okay, well, we we have a problem. Last year, the tread did not con I mean, it continued in the wrong direction. So, of course, uh, Je Jess,
my team, we, you know, we're thinking about what what what is going on here. Is it the leadership? Is it our programs? Is it our staff? Um, is it our facility? And we're just taking a look at everything. So, uh, we did ask, um,
other camps, different towns around if they were seeing a trend. They were seeing a little bit of a decrease. uh kins are tend to be going now to specialty camps a lot more versus traditional camps. So uh we did go back
to this year of signing up weekly. We were on a you could sign up for eight weeks or two weeks and parents were saying well I don't want to sign up for two weeks because she has gymnastics class that week or I mean that week or she you know he she was going somewhere.
So we tried that too. I don't know if it's the weather or if it's the uh what am I going to do with my kiddo this summer, but this week we have seen more registrations coming in. So hopefully that will pop back up a little. But in the meantime, we do have some challenges. We have um
some ADA compliance issues at Pineol. Uh the band-aid fixes can only take us so far. Um, in 2022, the state came and inspected us for our camp and we didn't pass the inspection and it was due to
some facility problems that we have. We were also looking overall at what we're facing in the community and we've we've we're losing facilities. We lost access to link uh Lennox Fields. Um, we lost access to St. Mike's gym to First
Baptist gym. And in the new high school, we lose a gym. We have two there now and we'll go down to one. The fields will be rectified with the new school fields. We're going to have beautiful fields, but we'll still be challenged with indoor space.
We are still trying to work on cosmetics. We had this um stairs. It it just was in the middle of the nowhere. It didn't It didn't start. It just was there and and the health department
said, "You can't use it if you did want to use it because it's in such bad shape." So, DPW did take that out and it looks a lot better, but we still have the accessibility issues. So we have um this is a big drop
down there. If you see the bar, we have a ramp, but the ramp is not the right grade. And also the threshold is not um it's not proper. So it's not it's not accessible
um on either side of that. And that's the locker rooms. Uh this is just a shot of the locker room. We did paint the floors which makes it look a lot better. Another shot. This is the shower house which is
connected. I mean is not connected but this is the bath house. And as you can see you can't get into the that's not accessible either. And we only have one shower head in each side. So that's a challenge. and the health department and the state said our our campers and
swimmers need to be taking showers prior to entering the pool, which doesn't happen. And then our courts, not really a good look. So, uh, we haven't used those quarts in three years going on four years. So,
so what are we gonna do? Well, the goals for Pine Nol because it is a great sorry it's a tremendous un under underutilized asset for the town and if you know if you saw the video it's a it's beautiful up there. It's a really it's it's a nice
place to be. Um but it has a 88A compliance issues. Um we need to increase the attendance and use. We want to make it safe for everyone and we also want to possibly use this piece of property to keep our sports in town.
Last season, softball spent $3,500 renting out of town space at other locations because even though we have outdoor sports because they want to start earlier and earlier and you the weather is so, you know, undependable
that our sports are looking for space elsewhere. So, taking all that into consideration, uh Tom and I, uh started talking and we were like, where do we even begin with this? We have so many challenges here. So, what
we did is that we put out a request for quote. We got um a a GZ A um Geo Environmental to present us with a three plan concept. And because we were thinking big picture, this is not going
to happen today or tomorrow or maybe next year or the next year, but we have to start somewhere. And one of the things if you've ever talked to me at any length that I'm very passionate about is private funding and grants. We have a beautiful new high school that's
about to go online and the last thing I think our residents are going to say is let's go and build something else bigger and better. But I don't think if we could get private funding and grants that anybody would fight us. So before anybody gets too worried about my taxes
are going to go up because we're going to redo pine null, that's not going to happen. So that's not the goal. But we are looking at the big picture and East Long Meadow Recreation Foundation was created in 2021. It took us four years
through co and getting the right people um to get it underway. But still in the town of East Long Meadow, we have pockets. We have sports that fund raise. We have schools, boosters, all these groups fundraising. But we have yet to
come up with a group of people that were looking to fund raise for the good of the entire town. And if you look across other towns nationwide, all of the great amenities that towns and cities have are with private public
funding. I mean um private funding and grants. Um it's not it just it can't be on the burden of the taxpayer. And I just keep trying to to send this message and someday it's going to take off. I just know it will.
So here we are. We have three concepts that we're looking at tonight. So the thought tonight is that we went with these three concepts asking you um for your opinion of what you think and then we will take one concept back to
GZA and get three phases of that project and see if we can start by knocking the three phases off. Um, so the first one they put indoor soccer, which is that's not what I had in mind when we talked. I was thinking inside
facility, a facility that could have basketball, that could roll out some uh grass for uh soccer or field hockey or or lacrosse. Um, we could have batting cages and just a variety of kind of not
necessarily a a wreck, a a typical wreck feeling, but more of a um workout. Um, um, help me out. >> Indoor complex. >> Yes, an indoor complex, but more of a training center. So, it wouldn't it
wouldn't be fancy. It'd be I I come from the Midwest in Indiana and we call them pole barns. So it wouldn't, you know, we're not we're not looking for fancy. We're looking for functional. So Oh, sorry. >> Yeah. So that so that's why we put an
indoor multi-use facility. Um we can still run the day camp out of that. We could have adult classes. That's one thing that we lack in our recreation uh programming here is from 18 to 60 year olds. So, all the active adults were not
they're not being um serviced by the recck department. Um this building we are looking at tucking it into the hill right there. And I have some more pictures that coming up too. And that would take care
of the um locker room situation for the pool. And again, this is just a concept. I mean, this could change a hundred different ways as we go along. Um, but it would also have the tennis court and
um some other amenities around it. But right now, we're kind of uh concentrating on what we can do to help the ADA of the current pool and house some indoor um recreation. Concept two is a little smaller
building. We go from a um 300 to a 200 um square foot building. >> 30 to 20. >> I'm sorry. >> 30,000,000 is this one. Yeah. Yeah. >> Oh, well, >> we wish we could get 200,000. Yeah, exactly. >> Now, >> we're building a stadium, guys.
>> Now, I'm really pushing it. But it would also add some more outdoor amenities um which would help with the camp and other and other um events that we have up there. But it would work with the parking. Bring the parking all the way
up. Uh and then Yeah, that's Go ahead. And then the last one really just encompasses the the uh situation with the bath house and the
accessibility. Uh it it doesn't take in account for the indoor sports. Uh would also be the least expensive. They also put in an amphitheater, which wouldn't be something we would be interested in because it's in the Heritage Park plan, but again, it's just a concept. We're
just getting an idea out there. >> And there's like a walking trail. >> Uhhuh. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. The next steps, well, we need to we need to pick a a concept, report back to GZA, and ask them to divide it up into three
phases. um opening on May 1st, the municipal ADA improvement grant opens up. There are three parts to that grant for 250 each. We could write three different grants to start helping with
this process. Um but it closes on June 12th, which is a quick turnaround. So, we need a lot of things to happen between um that time. Uh, and then we're also, um, I'd love to start really hitting the foundation,
finding identifying people that want to get involved with that, that have a talent in fundraising or an interest in it or was willing to learn about it. And then we're also um, researching government and private grant opportunities to keep in mind as we go
through this process. Are there any questions? I would I'm I'm going to there's a couple other things that we tagged on to the end that I did want to point out if you don't maybe you'll think of some questions. This is uh as you're coming
in. So right now at Pineol as most of you know you come in this area come around and then go out the other area. So the parking is not ideal for it's not
even for accessibility at all. Okay. Right now, because we took out the other side, there was a little path, but it was had roots in it and it was asphalt and you really couldn't call it a path over where we took out the stairs. So, this is going to be our primary entrance
right now. So, right now, people will come in here, go through, go through the locker rooms out to the back to take their shower, and then come back in. And this is the area that they would put the building. This would all be gone.
Dig into this hill, attach it to the pool. That kind of gives you a visual. And that's another angle of it. And you can see that this you come through the pool, through the bath house, to the shower, back in. It's a little awkward.
And it makes our health department it >> not very excited. >> Not very excited. Thank you. >> I don't think anyone showers. >> What's that? >> I don't think anyone ever showers. >> No. In fact, >> I think those words are locked. >> I think you're right. But that's going to change this year
because we are working. Our health department's great with us. They really are. But they she she they did say you're going to you have to do this. So, what the other thing that we are doing for a temporary fix is because these doors in 2002, we were cited because
they're open all the time. So, that means that kids could run in, run through the pool, get in the pool, and it might not be a time that we have lifeguards up. So, we're putting a fence here with a a gate and a lock to push
out and and a gate here. So, that'll enclose that area. and we'll cuz we can't lock the door on the other side because of fire issues. So now, do you have any questions for us? >> Yes.
>> I'm Jim Ruk. I'm with the soccer board. Um, and of course I'm very excited about this. Um, but I think it's something that the community should be excited about. So I think concept 3 is kind of, you know, not that exciting to get behind. Um, a lot of the things that we
have issues with or challenges with on the board raising for soccer is number one, you know, I've always said, let's figure out what we're going to do, how much it's going to cost, and then figure out how to fund raise instead of just willy-nilly fundraising, which soccer was doing for quite a long time. Um, and
the second thing is the challenges with corporate sponsorships and how the town is, you know, maybe the bylaws or whatnot. um and how to address those and maybe get around them to really raise some money because how much money are we really going to raise
>> as a community versus, you know, let's work with some, you know, partners in our community like Mson Bank or that are great um to help us, you know, get to our goals. >> Exactly. That's a very good point. And Jess is taking notes for me.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Hi, Donna. So just um I'm also extremely excited about this whole process. So I think it's great. So kudos and my question is if you could elaborate on the accessibility piece specifically. So
right now I mean it's fair to say it's an inaccessible location. So tell me how someone in a wheelchair for example would actually get to the pool. So I know you are we driving up farther. We have family memberships. I don't find >> No. No. You're talking the immediate
like this summer. Correct. Well, in general, so what the concepts because I I kind of miss exactly how >> that will make it easier or possible for a wheelchair to get there. >> Okay. So, in the the immediate future, we're looking at and if you can take us
back to the picture right here. >> Yeah. >> We're looking at making this area here where you can drive up and turn around. So, that's the immediate that's what we're looking at there and how that's going to look. >> Great. And for the new Oh,
>> now where on the image would the um the old those old foundations that are from previous structures that was in the plan to remove >> they they they're already gone. >> DPW finished that. >> Okay. So, wasn't the idea to build a
small accessible parking lot up there in the place where those were? >> That's true. Cuz what what Bill's referring to is that um let me get my to bring up the >> Yeah, I don't think it'll come on the
concept. It It's in the pictures. >> See that? >> Yeah. Right here. >> So, this >> Oh, correct. >> Yeah. This would be a handicap accessible parking lot with van spaces and things like that. >> Right. I to further my question, you were about to say something else too,
but do each of the three concepts have that as part of their >> the in the in the three concepts that's not part of it. Uh go back to two, would you please? That's where you would come in through the building. The parking
would be here, come through the building and go to the pool that way. >> Yeah, there is still a small lot there, but >> off on the side. Yeah. >> So like there's still a small amount of parking that would be here. >> There would be an elevator in the building. >> But in here, yes.
>> Okay. So So that's where the elevator you mentioned to me would come into play, right? Concept two, but not concept. Concept 3 has >> no concept 3 would still be along that line. >> We have an elevator. >> Yeah. But again, this is just a concept.
So we don't have actual drawings. So building >> no building, >> but the locker room would still we would still make the locker room accessible. Go back to three, >> right? There won't be an elevator >> cuz my my only concern with that piece with the elevator. Okay. >> My personal concern, you know, and I'm a
Pine No fan, but um it's staffed by kids. They're great kids, but let's say the elevator gets stuck and let's say there's somebody in a wheelchair or somebody with a disability and they're stuck in the elevator. I see an elevator in pineal setting. my own self is very problematic. >> Okay.
>> Potentially. That's just my feeling, you know. >> Right. And and and that will be further down the process. >> Yeah. >> I mean, when we get done with this, >> we might have uh we might pick seat two
and the building looks like one. I mean, it's we have to start somewhere. >> Absolutely. Having the parking right there and parking. That's awesome. Yeah. Yeah. We um we originally It's hard to get up that hill and turn around one and then
we'll work with the campers, too. >> Yeah. >> We don't want people just driving up the hill. We'd have to have them check in. Yeah. >> Okay. So, same idea. Yeah. >> Oh, it does have that right there. >> Yes. >> Hi. Uh my name is Paul Katz. I came in a
little bit late. So, you may have already talked about this and if you did, then just tell me you've already talked about this and I'll catch up to you later. >> Um, so I'm what I'm struggling with here is um do you have sort of immediate and
then long-term goals? Is there a vision for how this facility can be integral to everything else within East Long Meadow? Is it that it's a partnership with the soccer association? Is it that and and lacrosse
and and and so is it a an opportunity to tie a whole bunch of different things together, >> right? >> While fixing, you know, a um pretty precipitous drop in um in camp registrations as a band-aid. I know you
said no band-aids, but um but I my guess is there's probably immediiacy, but then a bigger vision. I didn't hear the bigger vision. So maybe you led with that and I >> Well, the the bigger vision is that we have this beautiful piece of property and it's underutilized. We also have
needs all over town that are not being met. So the big picture is how to take this property and turn it into something that is not only um beautiful, but it's also functional and
it serves all of the population. Right now, the recck department, we we primarily serve 3 to 17 and then we don't have anything until the town uh doesn't have anything until we get to um
the senior center. So, it would be one of those things that, you know, during the day, yes, we could have pickle ball courts in there. you know, I mean, it's just we are we're trying to look at all of our deficits and see how we can use this property to start ticking boxes and
other places where we are not meeting needs. >> And so, and I'm sorry, please shut me down if I'm asking the wrong questions. Um, but is there a venue or is there an opportunity to pull all those disparit
voices uh together to create a plan and a vision? I know you're under the gun in terms of of of planning and all that kind of stuff, but you know, bringing bringing all the folks together that you want to to say >> what are you what's your thinking?
What's your thoughts? In what in what way might something here serve you as well as as everybody else? Is that part of your planning or is that a planning grant or >> That's all a part of the process. Um, did we have the 10st step piece in there?
There. Here we go. This is what I was looking for. Um, in Massachusetts, in order to construct a building, there are 10 steps, and these steps come with years, but it's it's hard to read, but I can read through them. First, you need a
program, a project team. You need programming. You need a schematic design, independent cost estimates, funding appropriations, design development, construction documents, public bidding, construction, public safety compliance, and then I add
on there um a plan for maintenance and upkeep once we have the building. So, yes, that it does that help you understand that there's this is the one the first step. It's going to be a lot of public. >> I think I think the answer possibly that
you're looking for is yes, we have immediate needs, >> right, >> that we need to spend money on immediately. >> Mhm. >> And so that we want to come up with this master plan, this grand vision for this site so that we're not spending money in the same place that we spent money two
years ago, >> three years from now. Right. >> Exactly. And it moves you forward. >> Correct. And so this is sort of this this beginning phase where we have this master however many year plan where we can start to fix the things we need to
fix immediately and not mess up whatever the community wants to see as a grand vision. Tying in all the new amenities that are going to be at the high school. Tying in all the new amenities that would be at a heritage park which would probably happen before most of this
happens at Pineol. um most of the immediate work will be getting us uh in compliance with any statutory regulations that we might not be at this particular moment. >> Yeah. >> So this is a very very elementary
conversation about where where do we see all this in 20 years? All of our facilities all working together, not duplicating anything. Um and certainly not spending money in the same square footage that we did three years prior,
>> right? >> Yes, Don. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Um I know you were talking about that there is a quick turnaround and certainly there is if the opening the opening for the grant is uh May 1st did
it say May 1st through June 12th. >> Yes. >> Okay. So that is quick. It's on our doorstep. Um, and I know we've got three concepts. If we go down and we submit, is this grant um, first, does this kind
of would qualify us for seed money for some of the smaller things? Is this for the entire thing or does this build on itself? And um, is there room for play? If we've got these three concepts, but we get into it
and you say, "Oh, you know, I think plan two and three could be combined and we can have some movement because I know sometimes the state can be rigid." >> So, um, you know, how far into it does
it get where we could not have some flexibility if if you know? >> Yeah, I mean at this point there's all we have is flexibility. Um, and as far as the turnaround for the grant, I'm not that might be just and I'll let Rebecca
help me. This what we're doing tonight might not help us with the grant. We've got to come get come see what GZA comes up with, talk to them about what we need. Look what the grant is asking us and to see. Um, it might be a little bit
more on the band-aid side for the immediate versus the entire big picture as far as this grant is. Did I is that >> Yeah, I think I'll say, you know, the the pool of money that we're going after is uh specifically for ADA improvements
and compliance. And we have just completed uh self-evaluation and transition plan that lays out all the problems that we have to cor correct over the next 10 to 15 years. Um, so there are projects at Pineol, but it feels like why would we ask for up to
$250,000 for each project if we're just going to wind up redoing it once we um have more of a plan in place. So at this point the goal is just to come up with um which concept do we like the best and then how
can we sort of chunk out the whole concept into three different phases where we can start to even even at a lower level like chunk out three projects within what could be potentially phase one to get us rolling
in in a forward direction that we wouldn't have to redo or undo uh down the line. and certainly not making any rash decisions just to make a grant up. >> That's correct. >> Yes. >> So I believe sir and I didn't catch your
name. Sorry. Um part of the decisions on this is through a community assessment that is that the town does. I forget how often, but I know rec department has looked at that with town leadership to say what we can we do for everyone, not
just the kids who stop at 17 and not just for those who are a little a little bit later stages of life, not senior, those stages of life. Um, I also heard your question about what does this do with the sports team. Um, based on my
knowledge, and correct me if I'm wrong, Donna, there's not going to be a regulation field up in that area. However, the building that is being built may allow some of the sports team to do some practices and such with short short throws and whatever. Not a
regulation because there's no way to put a regulation field up at Pineol unless I'm missing no >> what I know of that. So that would be where the sports team, the wreck teams would become involved with the wreck department in determining who can practice when and where. Sort of like
one one of the other companies charges you to do in town. Not mentioning any names, but for the sports team, so you don't have to do that. And also, I think Don and I know each other were Rotarians, so we were talking about
maybe even during some of the school breaks having the availability to parents in the community if it could be staffed appropriately to have their kids go there instead of the $600 4day summer camp during last week of school vacation.
>> So, probably a little bit of a cost to make sure it's staffed and all the supplies and stuff. So, those are some of the other areas for those who have kids in school or have kids who want to become counselors or anything like that where it may come into play. Does that
sort of answer a couple of your questions, sir? >> Oh, yes, Mr. Paige. >> You know, I always have something to say. Um, I have concerns about um the first one with a 30,000 foot building
and I'm just curious if we couldn't afford a building to go into Heritage Park and that was removed from the plans. Uh, how could you possibly afford it for final? Um, we had done a whole design on heritage laid out with a
beautiful building and that got mixed because of cost and now here we are going to another location and looking at either a 20 or a 30,000 foot building. It just doesn't seem doesn't seem to make sense. Hey, we're not going to do
it here because of the cost, but we'll do it here. >> No, we we've thought of that, too. We've I've even we've looked into what a pole what how to get a pole barn at Brown Farm. Um and then we of course we still have heritage. I guess the thing that
put this one in front with my um for me is because we have the issues with the ADA piece. We have the beautiful pool already there um that needs a new bath house. And so I
was just trying to say, well, I I don't have anything about we can have a pole barn at Brown Farm if we raise enough money, but >> we actually have a pole barn at Brown that >> Well, we won't get into that. But okay,
>> that should be saved, but that's my own opinion. >> All right, >> I hear you. >> But I also that it's my own opinion. >> We'll let you figure that one But I also think um and don't misunderstand. >> No, I think it's a great question.
>> Just built a beautiful pole barn. >> Yeah. >> Um but I'm not sure the pole barn >> is going to work for what you're working out of it because I don't know if under um the building code and all that they would allow that type of structure to be
used in the manner that they're looking to. Okay. >> And again, I'm not sure. Right. Go building code, >> right? I do think I do think uh like I said, something has to be done up there. I've walked it. >> Um
>> and again, it's been years and it it's just it >> it's like anything. It goes down over time >> and something's got to be done. We've got to improve it. Um I just would like to see an overall picture on the whole
town. Hey, if we're going to do a building and we're going to use it for this, you know, which place would it be best? You know, what's going to have the most parking? I'm concerned with a 30,000 foot building. It didn't look like you had anywhere near enough parking spaces.
>> So, that that it's it's a good point >> because concepts are just concepts >> and there are price tags on every single one of those concepts. And it's important to be realistic about what we think we could actually pull off. Uh,
you know, 30,000 ft building, even if it's a pole barn, uh, you know, our high school was just built at 800 $800 a square foot. The schools now are $1,000 a square foot. So, if you're talking about a accessible building, I don't
know if a pole barn is going to be enough, right? And so, now you're talking bathrooms and everything else. So that that's a that's a hefty price tag for a building. And so it's important to think about those sort of realistic data that is
going to come from whatever concept we decide to sort of head towards. It's all it's all relevant information. Uh maybe in the if the solution is just to fix up pineol, that's a pretty good concept, too. >> That's right. You're right. It's almost
like concept one is your your Rolls-Royce, your pie in the sky. Like this is what we would love. >> But it's you say it's not realistic to say that's definitely what we're going to do >> without without without funding from another source.
>> Exactly right. Without somebody with very deep pockets that are very generous. But something like concept three, which is more in line with kind of the town park feel, could be a place to start um with things like adding,
you can kind of see it here. So adding a ball field in the downtown area, uh that's just flat grass right now that's underutilized. Redoing the basketball courts, those are used. We might not need to add a playground because, you know, there are other playgrounds in town, but taking bits and pieces from
this to use um, you know, like the updated parking there, you know, doing the buildings so that those are up to code and still leaving the potential for some very generous person down the line that says, I would like to build this
facility for you. >> Well, I think the grounds is there. >> Joe brought up an excellent point and it's true 100% of the time. People don't donate money to maybe a cool idea that happens 10 years from now. >> They want to donate to a project.
>> The concept 3 has limited parking though compared to concept two. Correct. >> Yeah. >> So there's if you James, can you please quote concept three? >> Right. >> Yeah. For concept three, the parking is where you see it. It eliminates one of
the two lower fields >> where the parking is and only puts parking up. So looking at that, my guess is 50 spots. And then if you go back to concept two, please. >> Great job, James. >> You're still good. >> Great job.
>> Don has trained him. No kidding. Um, so if you look at this one, you're getting probably 30 close and then you still have those two other parking spots below. So you're probably putting another 20 to 30 parking spots on that. That was when
I was looking at the concepts earlier. That's what caught my eye is three severely limits it. So if you have a big old party and everybody wants the pool that day, you may have people trying to park along the the roadways, which could then be dangerous to
>> Yeah. The idea would be to combine some of these things, right? You could keep the parking of concept 2 but use the uh the right half of of concept 3. You know, it's not like we have to decide on one of those choices. We can pick and choose from them to build the ultimate
one for us. >> The parking is in my opinion again going to be one of the biggest issues if we're talking about making accessible, right? >> And just to continue to beat the dead horse, people who have breathing challenges, people who have physical limitations, what have you, can't get to Pineville. So that's what we're trying
to remedy or what you we're all here trying to remedy, right? So I think really important to have ample parking right up by that pool. So what you're talking about, Donna, is great as long as whatever, in my opinion, whatever concept we go with really looks at that because if we don't, we're still in the
inaccessible mode, you know. So drive up, there's the pool is optimal. >> Did you have a comment? >> Yeah. Um, I guess I'm just a little unclear in terms of some of the discussion around trying to target
accessibility for or facilities for the 18 to 65 population, which we don't have much of. Um, I know when the school was proposed, there were pickle ball courts there. um which I don't know when it disappeared but after the vote was clear
and everything came out and I went for the new school the pickle ball courts were gone um I would encourage a number of pickle ball courts and then if you are going to have a building have that accessible to adults not just for sports programs um to be able to have pickle
ball which can be a revenue generator in the winter when this typically is not being utilized um because there's nothing and you saw no you see concept right up there. >> I mean realistically that's that's not a
cheap concept either. I mean that baseball field right there, the drainage on that field. You're absolutely right. There's going to be a lot of it there. >> Yeah. And the ADA parking on that one's further from the building than the prior concept and even one has it closer. So
that may be a little bit of a bridge to cross so to speak. >> I think that >> it's a smaller building. >> I think the upper parking is pretty close. It's just that you had a 20,000t building in between there to fill up that. So it looked like the parking was
right up against the building. So if you look at concept two, I think the parking >> they removed the baseball field to add >> a new parking. Yeah. on that one and the baseball field moved down there.
Whereas in three, it was removed in favor of like a seating area for a potential amphitheater. But again, that's not something that we'd be interested in. The other thought is that because this is this is a very small group compared to
the rest of our residents, maybe we don't take a vote and we continue to educate others and spread the info and come back together. I mean, we had to start somewhere and that's why we're here tonight. and I
appreciate what you're coming out and giving us your input, but it's it's going to be it's going to be a long time. >> Yeah, agreed. I don't think that one of these three has to be it. Um, getting feedback from the community can
certainly help us to make a decision in the future as to what aspects of each design work best for us and the community needs. >> Yes. So yeah, I don't think there's a need to vote on it today or anything. >> We love Pineol. I have kids on the
Marlins team and we're literally there every single day. So my only comment, this is a little bit off, right? I love all the ideas. I wish we had money for two looks good. But when it comes to camp, I know this is off subject a little bit. We did kindle for three years in a row and it was good enough and fine. We were happy with it.
But I will just tell you most people with kids graduating fifth and graduating sixth still want their kids in camp and that you kind of stop offering that. Yes. >> And so a lot of people went to private camps cuz they don't really feel like their 10 and 11 year olds should be home by themselves.
>> We did take that piece out just because the kids were telling us they were bored. We >> kids would have been happier. >> Good to know. >> All right. >> You too probably. >> All would have been happier coming to roots for age reasons.
>> All right. Good to know. >> Yes. Alfred. >> Yeah. Uh my name is Alfred. Uh again, you know, I'm not from East Law Med, but I'm a service provider for for Joe here and the the recreation as well. Uh but you know, for for my for my own
business, I've also looked at concepts of you know, for my own, you know, where do I put that? Yeah. But one thing I've I've come across is on the planning stage and there are companies there that who would look at the indoor space in general and would ask you, you know,
what services you going to do here? you want to do lacrosse, soccer, basketball, pickle ball and they got to look at it on a per square foot basis >> on how much is that cost and how many sports can you actually or other services they could actually c. That's
kind of like a granular >> view of your how you going to spend >> that kind of money how you come up, >> right? >> All right. Well, >> and and also a big part of this too as as Donna mentioned is in the fundraising like we need members of the community
that are willing to help to get organized and get groups together to run fundraisers and things like that. And even if that's not something you're interested in, perhaps you know someone in town that hey, they're really good at this and you could mention it to them that they might be interested in. So just to get the word out to the
community as well is that we are looking for active people that want to contribute to help fund raise for the betterment of recreation in the town of Pelmetto. >> Yeah. As members of the recreation commission, we can't ethic ethically do any fundraising. I would love to hold
like a golf tournament to benefit Pine Null or something like that, but we can't. So that's where we need more people in the community to help in these efforts to use this space to the best of our ability and make it a place where the community wants to, you know, come
and have their needs met for recreation, >> right? I mean, you look at Wilberham, they have the friends of Wilberham that put together spec pond for them over there, which is this fantastic facility, all built with donations. So it does exist. It can happen. We just need the motivated individuals in town to make
it. So, >> Molly, oh, sorry. >> I was just going to ask, have you been working with other rec departments to kind of get ideas and see how they've been successful at doing projects like that? We yeah we meet regularly with the
Pioneer Valley group and we all give each other updates and um consistently it's fundraising, it's bonding, it's grants, >> right? Like Long Meadow did Wolf Swamp their brand new facility there on
taxpayer dollars, you know, like that was it was bonded out there. So >> Bliss um I mean Long Meadow Park that's doing the new play >> it is Bliss Park >> is getting a new playground with grant money. So, >> so I understand you're probably not
going to take a vote this evening, but what is your drop deadline for I need to know which concept most agree toward to start working for that grant money and then say, but we would like the
following possibilities to the concept updated because you said May 1st, it's got to be in by June something and >> right, but realistically That's that's the the locker rooms, the showers, the parking, like that stuff can be done as
a phase one part one, right? That's the the ADA grants take care of that stuff. They don't care about basketball courts and baseball fields and stuff. >> I understand that. But from my understanding, one of these three concepts needs to sort of be ratified by a group and then we can ask for the
changes and phase one would do this. We like these changes to phase two sort of thing. If I was understanding what I heard earlier, >> you are. Yeah, Molly, I wanted to let you go ahead. >> Not adding anything necessarily new. I wasn't gonna talk tonight.
>> No, it's your first have to. >> No. So, here's the thing. Like, everyone obviously you're not going to come up with a decision tonight. There's not enough people in the room to represent the town. It's a normal thing, right? Often times you only get a pocket of people. However, there's immediate needs that need to be solved effective
immediately for safety of residents, for safety of kids, and that's obviously ADA. So it's just like understanding that the concept needs to be met but ADA has to be addressed regardless. So it's just being able to support Donna and the rec department to say like okay you know
we are going to move forward at least with likely concept three but here are some other things that we'd like to add hopefully to this concept. It's nothing set in stone but it's at least showing the ADA immediate and then leaving space for future growth. Right. Um, and then the second big piece that I'm hearing is
that camp registration's low because potentially facility, right? There's not enough things for kids to do on the camp. It's not updated. It's not safe. I was a YMCA camp director before, even a park and wreck director. I'm going to call Paul out. He was a YMCA person, camp person. We're both ACA people. We walk around that property and we're
going to be like, "Oh." And I hate to say it, but it's reality, right? So, that needs to be addressed. And also you need to have open space and tennis courts updated to pickle ball courts whatever else so that way they can make revenue off of doing additional programming because at the end of the day I know residents want free things
but you need to make revenue right and that's just the reality of it. So it's what other programs can you offer by getting those updates but those are like the three needs but ADA needs to be addressed immediately. So it's like looking at that concept three saying like ADA great there's room in here to
remove some other things and say like for future phase 2 phase three you know we need to have this running list that obviously like you want to have residents input on but it's going to solve programming it's going to solve safety it's going to hopefully fix the
engagement piece in terms of can too I mean that's what it seems like with the clear picture that needs to be done um and I just think it we need to redirect the understanding of like how are we going to support the rec department to move forward this plan in time so we can get the grant out there and successful cuz tennis court grants those are easy
to get right as long as you guys can get it through Musco or through other NRPA ones you can get pickle ball courts you can get tennis courts whatever but ADA is like a huge thing and it's competitive because there's so many areas that don't are not ADA compliant in in the state so um yeah sorry I'm not
going to talk anymore but so I I'd like to to to kind of go back and just say let's let's just say this was an educational piece. The people that you are here go out and tell others. Say that that the town and recck department
is aware that we have some issues. We're looking at all the options. And again, like Bill said, if you have somebody that has a skill set that might be able to have to help us, point us in the right direction. But I wanted to start the the the discussion and that's where
we are tonight and I thank you for that. And um before I say any more um about this, I do want to circle back around and introduce my staff because this is I didn't do this.
They did this. I would just say, "Can you do this? Can you put this in there?" And I would send Joe some information and say, "Joe, can you put this in there?" So, if you guys would introduce yourself and I also don't want to forget Jamie in the back. >> I'm Joe. I'm the office assistant here.
I've uh been working here for about four years full-time. I went to Pineol. I was a counselor at Pineol um and I've been helping out at the camp um since then. So, I really do appreciate everyone coming out and um showing their concern for the people that um for the area cuz
it really is a great facility and um we all like I think I can speak for Jess and James that we all want to see the best um for that facility because we've we've all had great times there ourselves and we know so many kids in town um have had a great time there and
we just want that to continue. >> I'm Jess. I'm the assistant rec director. Um, I've been probably about 5 and a half years. Before that, I was a volunteer. I was a rec commission member. I helped get the foundation off the ground and running. Um, my my heart is in this facility. So, I do appreciate
those of you who came to hear what we had to say. Um, I spent the whole summer up there with the kids. >> So, you know, I see this as a property like Ralph when you brought up the indoor and, you know, a building and the cost. You know, we wanted the rec center at Heritage, but I think truly I agree
>> this spec I agree, but this facility is used by so many different variants of the community between the Marlins, between rentals, which generate revenue, you know, that gets kicked back into improvements on this facility. We have
T-ball up there, lacrosse up there. Um, softball was even thinking about using it for their T-ball program on the fields. We have the camp. So like we hit all the marks in one spot. So an indoor space on that property makes more sense to utilize across the board I think than
a heritage park cuz that's used for primarily baseball and park you know people. So that's my spiel on this. Thank you guys. Um and go to James. >> Yeah I'm James. Uh I started uh with the
rec department in the summer of 24. I was the assistant director at the camp. So, this was the first uh facility that I've been to uh for the rec department here. And I love Pineel. I I just I want it. It's such a beautiful space. Um I
when I saw the video that uh Jamie made with the drone footage, it's it's a beautiful beautiful area. And if we can just get it going um just like this this meeting here is so important because this is how it gets started, right? So
learning more information and having the right information is important so that we can move forward. Uh so I'm just excited to see where this goes. And uh yeah, >> and Jamie in the corner that you see her at a lot of meetings if you attend meetings or if you watch meetings,
>> she is the woman behind the camera and she will uh put this on the LCAT uh YouTube page so you can have others look in and and and see the concept. You can reach out to any of us at any time. I'll
tuck your your ear off if you'll listen. Um because I am pretty passionate about every piece of uh recreation in our town. Um and back to Adele just to wrap it up. I I think that maybe we'll talk Rebecca Tom and I and the team and maybe
this is not the vehicle we need to for that grant. But again, we had to start somewhere and I'm just happy to see your faces and and I'm excited to hear your input. >> How do you tap into that passion that everyone who's gone to Pineol and spent time there? Like do you guys have a list
of old campers that have gone there? >> You can email and be like, "Listen, this is what we're doing." >> Remember the uh >> That was a great start there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That's a great starting point. >> Yeah. And I for fundraising, too. I also reached out to one of um coach Silva's swimmers
um because his group that you know he produced uh collegiate and Olympic swimmers and I'm trying to get it's Bruce Stebins and he we talked years ago about his interest in Pineol. He wasn't
able to be here tonight, but I asked him if he'd be interested. And so I'm looking at that group of people that had a passion for Pineol that learned to swim there. And you'll still hear people going >> Yeah. >> Right. >> The athletic hall of fame is a good
start. The high school, a lot of them came from Pine. >> Okay. >> Do you remember a few years back we did a thing with like a hashtag and on social media about time in Pineol and there was a video. We had two counselors that met there who are now married.
So we we have done things like that, but we could do something on a bigger scale. >> I like that. >> Yeah. Great. So, thank you for coming. And the conversation's not ending tonight. >> Reach out recreation eastong Meadow uh ma.gov. Stop in and see us. Give us a
call. If you have a group that's meeting and you want us to come talk to your group, we'd be happy to do that. Um, thank you.