HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-2009 NRRC 06 Dept UpdatesCity of Hastings Parks & Recreation
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920 W 10 St, Hastings MN 55033
Ph: (651) 480-6175
Fax: (651) 437-5396
Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us
“Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs”
Natural Resources and Recreation Commission
Departmental Updates – January, 2009
Parks Maintenance Activities
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The preparation and maintenance of the skating rinks started on December 1. Staff has had 25 days
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so far this season when we were able to flood the rinks.
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The warming houses were prepared for the opening on December 15. This is an earlier than normal
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date for opening. Staff checks on the warming houses daily throughout the skating season.
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Maintenance staff reported to work earlier than normal all through the school holiday break in order
to have the rinks ready for the 10:00 AM openings.
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The aeration system at Lake Rebecca was started up on December 2. This is the earliest date for the
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start-up since the system was put in. Staff monitors the pump and thin ice signs daily until ice out.
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Trails and sidewalks have been cleared of snow each working day that over 2 inches falls. The month
of December has had an above average amount of snow and has required extra from our staff and
equipment.
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We had a contractor finish putting the metal roofs on the new dugouts at Vet’s Park.
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Plans & preparations have been completed to use mobile irrigation equipment this summer to water
turf on the Pioneer Park ball fields. These fields have been so heavily used in recent years we felt that
this was required.
Warming Houses
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Rinks have been open since December 15 with Wilson and Isabel open on Saturdays, Sundays, and
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days off school only.
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As of January 5, 2009 a total of 2171 skaters have been using the rinks. Park totals are as follows:
Pioneer=935
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Wallin=534
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Lions=329
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Outdoor Arena=277
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Wilson=59
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Isabel=37
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Kennedy has been used exclusively by the hockey boosters and as of January 5, 2009 have had 8
practices and 20 upcoming scheduled practices.
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Rinks are scheduled to close February 16, 2009 weather permitting.
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Thoughts for next year – possibly flooding a skating track at one of the rinks.
Civic Arena
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Three turf bids were received at the bid opening on January 6, 2009.
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There will be a youth hockey tournament this weekend, January 9-11, 2009.
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Snow, snow, and more snow along with the rain storm have created havoc with the parking lot and
walkways.
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Ten games are scheduled in January for the High school boys & girls.
Civic ArenaAquatic CenterYouth First
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2801 Red Wing Blvd. 901 Maple Street 920 W 10 Street
Ph: (651) 480-6195 Ph: (651) 480-2392 Ph: (651) 480-6182
Fax: (651) 437-4940 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Fax: (651) 437-5396
Youth First
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Youth First, supporting the efforts of Youth Planning Council, helped with the raising and collection of
over $5,000.00 for the YPC Adopt a Family coin drive. This money was used to support 17 families in
need and to purchase extra gifts for teenagers that Hastings Family Service uses for supplementation.
The shopping was done at Target and all gifts were wrapped at the Hastings Senior Center. It is a very
rewarding day for youth; the true meaning of giving was reconfirmed.
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LOCAL JAM 2 took place on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 with over 165 in attendance. Three bands
jammed and the house was packed. This time the cover charge proceeds will be used to implement a
Local Scholarship. This initiative not only helps youth to support each other
Youth Planning Council
but helps to implement a better understanding of the local scholarship application and selection
process.
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The assessment process of last year’s Goals and Objectives is almost complete. Nearly all goals and
objectives were met along with several additional initiatives. 2009 Goals and Objectives are under
construction and will be complete soon and will be included in the 2008 Parks & Recreation Year End
Report.
Leisure Services
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Breakfast with Santa – On December 13, Santa visited Hastings youth at McAuliffe Elementary
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School. Parents and children enjoyed a pancake and sausage breakfast prepared by Hastings Parks
and Recreation Staff and volunteers. After the participants were stuffed, they moved on to participate
in Santa’s Workshop where they could build ornaments, start coloring in their new coloring book,
throw a snowball at Frosty, pin the nose on Rudolph, or even get a holiday tattoo. Once they were all
done with that, they made the long trek up to the North Pole where Santa and his elves were waiting to
visit. The children told Santa about their past year while receiving a picture and letter from the jolly
old fellow. 72 children were at the event and 125 were served breakfast in the morning. A big thank
you goes out to all the volunteers from Youth First and Youth Planning Council.
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Adult 5 vs. 5 Basketball – Adult Basketball League is in full swing as teams are hitting the midway
point of the season. We are excited to have the league in its second year and once again looking at
building on this in 2009.