By Martin Couch
Monday's Bryant Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was short and to the point.
The softball association reported a 37-team tournament, and fall baseball leagues will have two more weeks before the end of the season.
"We've been working with the incoming president of the Bryant Baseball Association on scheduling so we know what's what," Bryant Parks and Recreation director Jeremy Lemons said.[more]
The minutes of September’s meeting were approved by the committee.
There are 667 current members of the Bryant Community Center as of Monday.
"And that's with just two months of being open," Lemons said. "We projected 450 through the end of the year and we'd level out at 750 members, but we are way ahead of the pace right now. We have 200 to 300 members waiting for the aquatics facility to open."
Recently, Lemons conducted a maintenance conference where Ken Palquist spoke on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department. Professionals from around the state "were blown away by the structure and how cheap the fees were," Lemons said. "It was all positive. All of them were impressed with this facility. I think we really have something to be proud of here."
The Brand New Church also held its first services this past Sunday in one of the conference rooms of the Community Center.
"We worked that morning and everything was smooth," Lemons said. "They had their own lights, bands and all kinds of stuff going on. I think around 130 people showed up in the big meeting room. It was a good use of the facility between 9 a.m. and noon to help pay our utility bills."
An adult flag football league is currently forming teams. A coaches meeting is scheduled for Nov. 22. Currently there are 10 to 12 teams and the league is looking for more.
"Other than that, we've been doing a lot of landscaping in front of the center," said Derek Phillips, the Parks manager.
Reports from Fall Fest at Mills Park were favorable and there are plans to move it next year to Bishop Park, according to Lemon.
The contract with Heartland Bank allows other banks to do sponsorship within the park in a 72-hour period. Landers also allows for other vehicle dealerships with the exception of bringing automobiles on the premises. Pepsi has already paid its $27,000 up front and will do that for five years and Allied Waste is nearing a date to sign its contract.
Lemons also provided a schedule of completion dates for the City Council:
1. Substantial completion of Bishop Park sports fields, concessions, parking areas, dugouts, press boxes, etc., was achieved by Alessi-Keyes on Sept. 9.
2. United Fence will be completed with all ballpark fencing by Nov. 12.
3. The presidents of the athletic and softball associations report that the fields are “wonderful.”
4. The Parks Department is working closely with the BAA and the BSA to establish a full tournament schedule for 2011.
5. Eagle Electric has the Musco lighting system fully functional.
6. Flynco received substantial completion on July 23 for the Community Center.
7. The Parks Department officially opened the doors for the Center on Aug. 17. In less than two months, it has sold 667 membership passes.
8. The second round of aerobic classes begins on Oct. 25.
9. A marketing plan for Christmas party room rentals and a membership drive for New Year's will take place over the next two months.
10. A K-2 and a seventh grade and up youth basketball league is forming. Other programs coming this winter include indoor soccer, adult volleyball and basketball.
11. The Boys and Girls Club opened its doors with over 500 members on Sept. 6.
12. Dayco is working for an Oct. 29 substantial completion date of the aquatic center.
13. The splash pad addition is awaiting pricing and design estimates from manufactures and suppliers.
14. Skate park components will be placed behind the old home place at Bishop Park, similar to Jacksonville's.
15. The park also has cross country/natural trails completed and being used. Picnic tables are currently being installed throughout the park, as well.
