Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

1. Approval of Minutes

Member Turlo moved to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2022, Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Committee meeting. Member Cantelmo seconded. The motion passed by an all-in-favor vote of 5 to 0.

2.  Consideration of Approval to Send a Recommendation to the Commission to Invest in the Conceptual Design of the Proposed Lady Lake Recreation Center (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Burske described his plan for the proposed building. He would contract with Neel-Schafffer to create a conceptual design of the building that would then be shared with residents to get their input for the final design. The recreation center would be in Snooky Park toward the middle where the fewest number of trees would need to be removed. The conceptual design fee would be funded by impact fees.

Chairman Jones asked where the design came from and if it would include a pool and exercise equipment. Mr. Burske said that he visited the Winter Garden Recreation Center and liked its design. He added that if the residents want a public pool, the town will weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks. He would ultimately like to have exercise equipment, a basketball court, and provide other recreational activities. With the help of Communications Director Poppacoda, surveys will be distributed online and on water bills to get feedback from our residents.

Member Cantelmo asked if the building could be expanded in the future. Mr. Burske responded that he chose the design because it could be easily added onto.

The Board questioned whether other groups and organizations would use the building to which Mr. Burske responded that other town facilities have rooms that can be rented but he does not want that to be the purpose of the recreation center. He wants the space to be for recreation and a place where families can spend quality time together.

Member Lowery agreed that Town residents need this center. She said that The Villages and other developments use our water, and they should have to pay for it. Mr. Burske explained that impact fees for utilities can only be used to fund projects in the Public Works department. However, Parks & Recreation receives impact fees from new houses, which will be used to fund the building and other funding sources. Member Lowery emphasized the need to make developers pay for services from the town.

Member Cantelmo asked if The Villages would contribute funds for the building to which Mr. Burske responded that he had not approached them.

Member Weber said the Silver Sneakers program pays, via Medicare, for seniors to use facilities for free. Mr. Burske said he was not aware of that, and that he may investigate it further.

Member Lowery made a motion to send their recommendation to the Commission to invest in the Conceptual Design of the Proposed Lady Lake Recreation Center.  Member Cantelmo seconded the motion. The motion passed by an all-in favor vote of 5 to 0.

3. Consideration of Approval to Send a Recommendation to the Commission to Invest in the Proposed Exercise Equipment at Snooky Park (Mike Burske)

We started working on Snooky Park about two years ago and is complete as of today.   Electricity will be turned on Monday. The walking path is 2019 feet long, approximately a ½ mile. The park is named after Atticus Lee “Snooky” Blanton who perished on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.

Member Lowery made a motion to send their recommendation to the Commission to invest in exercise equipment for Snooky Park. Member Cantelmo seconded the motion. The motion passed by an all-in favor vote of 5 to 0.

4. Consideration of Approval to Send a Recommendation to the Commission to Invest in the Design of the Unpaved Parking Areas at the Rolling Acres Sports Complex with a focus on the Lady Lake Dog Park (Mike Burske)

Mr. Burske showed Chairman Jones on the map, included in the packet, where the paved areas would be located; one area is around Harry Sack Field and the other is near the concession stand.

Member Weber made a motion to send their consideration to recommend to the Commission to invest in the Design of the Unpaved Parking Areas at the Rolling Acres Sports Complex. Member Cantelmo seconded the motion. The motion passed by an all-in favor vote of 5 to 0.