Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 03/31/2022AMES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATE March 31, 2022 COMMISSION PRESENT Jeremy Bristow, Sarah Cady, Nicole Fannin, Jacob Ludwig, Duane Reeves, Nathan Shimanek ABSENT Sarah Litwiller STAFF PRESENT Keith Abraham, Joshua Thompson, Courtney Kort CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM PUBLIC FORUM No public forum. MOTION RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVE: Abraham thanked the Commissioners for their attendance at this special meeting on short notice. Abraham reminded the Commission of the process used to develop the naming request policies. a) Naming the Indoor Aquatic Center the "Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center". Abraham summarized the Fitch family's involvement in bringing an indoor facility to Ames, which included a $3 million pledge to the aquatics portion of the Healthy Life Center, to be named the Fitch Family Aquatic Center. The Fitch Family feels strongly about the project and providing Ames with an indoor pool facility. The Fitch family had pledged the same donation for the Indoor Aquatic Center to be named the Fitch Family Aquatic Center. b) Naming the Therapeutic Pool the “Mary Greely Medical Center Therapeutic Pool”. Abraham explained Mary Greely Medical Center’s wish to be a tenant in the Healthy Life Center project and provide therapeutic service. Mary Greeley has pledged $4 million to th is project requesting the name of the therapeutic pool Mary Greely Medical Center Therapeutic Pool. c) Naming the Zero-Depth Entry Pool and Play Structure the “Fareway Fun Zone”. Fareway pledged $500,000 for naming of another type of amenity in the Healthy Life Center. Fareway promised the same amount to the Indoor Aquatic Center for the zero-depth entry pool to be named the Fareway Fun Zone, with a sign placed on the play structure. Abraham thanked Dan Culhane for initiating these conversations, with current pledges or fundraising at $8.3 million. Keith continued to thank Mary & Rich Fitch, MGMC, Fareway, and many others who contributed to this project. A complete list of donors will be provided at a future meeting. Staff recommends Alternative #1. Reeves had a question regarding Dan Culhane's role in the fundraising and if this is money that was pledged in the first project. Abraham explained when the bond referendum failed, the pledges for that project went away. Mr. Culhane was asked to talk with donors from the failed project to secure donations for this project. Abraham confirmed that this money is not from new donors but has been established from donors to the previous facility. Reeves feels that the way the newspaper reported on the donations, the public may think there is now $16 million total. Abraham confirmed over $10 million in donations, not $16 million. Shimanek asked if there was any desire to recognize the sizeable contribution of the Geitel Winakor estate at the facility? Abraham explained there was no request to name anything after her in her bequest to Ames Parks and Recreation. Abraham said it was not her intention to have something named after her, but Staff can look at it further if you would like to bring it back at another time. It was moved by Shimanek, with a second by Ludwig, to direct Staff to initiate a discussion with the Winakor family regarding naming rights to a feature of the facility. No discussion. No opposition. Motion Approved It was moved by Fannin, with second by Bristow, to recommend to the City Council to approve Alternative #1. Discussion: Reeves asked if the Chamber and Dan Culhane would continue raising funds for this facility. Abraham stated that there are other things in the works regarding donations and grants available to the project. Some potential donors may be waiting until the plans are more solid before deciding to donate. Cady felt that this happened with the Rotary Club of Ames Miracle League Field and Barnes Family Playground. Bristow stated that it is a much-needed amenity to the community, and he appreciated the Fitch family and everyone else for stepping up. No opposition. Motion Approved COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS No member comments. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 21 at 4:00 PM (Regular Meeting) ADJOURNMENT Ludwig moved to adjourn at 6:18 PM.