Title
Vote on a request to approve Grants to the Recreation Agencies recommendations.
Abstract
Action Requested:
Motion to approve the Grants to Recreation Agencies recommendations.
Introduction & Background:
Three recreation organizations submitted applications for the grant to organizations process. These groups included: Bonlee Recreation Park, North Chatham PTA, and Sprott Youth Center. These groups presented in front of the Recreation Advisory Committee. The total amount allocated for the Organizations is $20,300 and a total of $45,035 requested. The description of their requests and the amount requested is listed below.
Requests
Bonlee recreation Parks
The organization requested funds for baseball and softball batting cage, bullpen and a picnic table.
Requested $8,795
North Chatham PTA
Outdoor ¼ mile asphalt surface track for school and community use.
Requested $30,960
Sprottt Youth Center
The organization requested funds for Open gym attendant for 3.5 hrs/week for 48 weeks at the youth center in Moncure and a referee
Requested $5,280
Discussion & Analysis
The Recreation Advisory Committee used a new scoring system called the matrix and general discussion to make their recommendations.
Bonlee Recreation Park presentation-
They offer softball, baseball and tball. They had roughly 90 participants this past season. The program is made of volunteers and Allstate is a corporate sponsor. Many coaches soft toss the ball and the player hits it into the fence that is causing damage to the fence. By providing a batting cage will help with this.
Score 126. The Committee recommended $8,795
North Chatham PTA presentation-
The track will go around the soccer fields behind the playground. It will serve the community, PE class, walking snack breaks, afterschool YMCA, school running club, Chatham County Parks and Recreation and families who use the baseball field next door.
Score 143. The Committee recommended $8,145 to go towards phase 1 which is the gravel track. Even though they ranked higher than the others, the discussion from the Advisory Committee was not to fully fund phase 1 since no agreement is in place yet that the Recreation Department will have priority after school use for their track program and that the track will be accessible to the public when school isn’t in session.
Sprott Youth Center presentation-
They are providing open gym opportunities on Sundays and the age group range from 9 to 25. They average 27 people a week. They are proposing to lengthen the youth time by one-half hour because of the increase in participation. This will allow Open gym play or 3.5 hrs/week for 48 weeks.
Score 117. Committee recommended $3,360. Recommend not to provide funds for a referee.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan:
Provide recreational opportunities and access to open space
Budgetary Impact:
$20,300
Recommendation:
Motion to approve the Grants to the Recreation Agencies recommendations.