City of Centralia Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee met April 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Present: Pracht, Agee, Graham, Young
CRC – Allan
City – Harting
Youth – Williams
Absent: Patton, Lawson & Garrett
Public Participation: Greg Jones
Graham called the meeting to order @ 12:03 pm, after roll call was completed.
Approval of Minutes: Irene Young made a motion to approve the minutes as presented and was seconded by George Pracht. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gayla Harting stated that there wasn’t a report at this time and that next meeting there would be 2 reports.
Monthly Reports:
1) CRD Report
a. Scott reported that Annie’s Softball has played 6 home games at rotary park with 1 game being rained out so far. Also, both batting cages have been put up. Annie’s has their last game of the season on May 20th which is a double header. Scott hasn’t heard yet about hosting regionals this year.
b. Scott reported that USA softball will be doing a showcase at Rotary Park on Oct. 14th & 15th.
c. Scott reported that Centralia got a renewed contract from the SIJHSAA to host the Class “L” state tournament at Rotary Park for 3 more years. Tournament dates are Sept. 30th (Sat.), Oct. 3rd (Tues.), & Oct. 5th (Thurs), with rain out dates of Oct. 2nd, 4th, & 6th.
d. Supersonics have a scheduled tournament on May 20th at Rotary Park.
e. Scott reported that the summer rec. leagues will start in May. Tball & Boys Coach pitch leagues will be held locally, while all the other leagues are in the MCYL where half games are home and half are away.
f. Scott reported that the contract with the city has still not been finalized, however, Scott has been talking with the city manager and has been able to purchase equipment.
2) Youth Center Reports –
a. Herb Williams reported that the Y.C. will be hosting a food drive on Friday April 14th, and a job fair on April 21st & May 5th. BCMW will be donating snacks for the event.
b. The Youth Center is having free summer camps June 5th- 9th, 12th – 16th, 26th – 30th and the last camp will be July 10th – 14th. The Youth commission will volunteer to help with the camps.
3) City Report –
a. Gayla Harting reported that the city is buying park equipment, more specifically a merry-go-round for Fairview Park and a teeter totter for Lori Leak Park.
b. Gayla Harting reported that the city applied for a grant for more trees at Fairview & Lori Leak Park.
4) Old Business – NONE
5) New Business –
a. George Pracht asked about the grant for Fairview Park and was informed that the city did not get it. Greg Jones added that there were multiple cities that applied for that grant, and were told that got it, but then that was retracted through email. Gayla explained how grants work and that not all grants are the same. Dave Agee added that most grants require matching funds and ones that do not, are extremely rare.
b. George Pracht asked when the last time the city applied for this type of grant. Jack Graham explained that when he had to write a grant for his soccer program that the wording really mattered, and that how you present your grant can have a big impact on the outcome.
c. Greg Jones asked about the tennis courts at Fairview Park, particularly the windscreens and the fences. George Pracht responded by informing Greg that he has informed the city that they need to reinforce the poles that the windscreens attach to, before they put them up for the season. George also provided the city with a company where they can order more windscreens to replace old ones.
d. Greg Jones commented that money seems to be a big concern for the city and wanted to know who he could speak with to learn more about grants. Gayla responded that he needs to speak with the city manager.
6) Adjournment – Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Dave Agee and seconded by Irene Young.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/4_-_April_13th_2023.pdf
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