Parks Board Meeting -- 02/24/21

Richard Gettelfinger - Reporter

Parks board superintendent Larry Shickles not in attendance due to covid exposure, David Hussung filled in for him.

Approved request from Leadership Harrison County for use of the trail for their annual run on the conditions the Leadership Group provide current insurance rider which also lists Parks as additional insured. Passed unanimously.

Land lease awaiting contract from lawyers office. Board had agreeded to award it to highest bidder. (If I understood correctly the Conservation Board has been dissolved by Commissioners and Council) so Parks Board went with highest bidder approach.

Announced Council had approved request for 166k for renovations to Wright Interpretive center pending reinstatement of 501c and signed contract with County. Battle of Corydon tabled until next week as adjoining neighbor wants fence erected and Parks will have to pay half. Rhodes Pool reopening is not predictable as it is being used for Covid testing site and no firm date has been given by Health Dept as when it will be no longer needed. It was believed it will remain open through but could be longer.

Questions regarding moving it back to Fairgrounds was not a consideration the Board would entertain, mainly because if it were moved back, there would be no fair. Greg Reas also said extensive advertising it as being at Rhoads Pool would cause problems if the site was moved to another location. Representatives of the local swim team inquired as to when several items needed repair were actually going to be made as Larry Shickles and the swim had met earlier and made these issues aware to Larry. David Hussung said to send list back to Larry Shickles for consideration. Contract to have in house life guard training that would meet Red Cross certification was approved.

Morvin's Landing survey proposal was tabled.

Much discussion on putting a bubble on Rhoads Pools during public comment session. Again, swim team members brought up how much stress was put on available facilities and YMCA has cut older swimmers access to the pool due to request from local teams needing the facilities. David Hussung had previously offered South Harrison Pool as an alternative to using Rhoads Pool but swim team Representatives pointed out the distance involved would make it a dire option at best. It was brought to the Boards attention that a prior meeting with Larry Shickles that would make the pool a year round facility and Larry even commented the Parks could offset the cost of the bubble by hosting parties etc, year round. It was not clear if the board had heard that before and the swim team Representatives wanted to make the board aware of this conversation and that consideration for installation of the bubble would not only enhance the pools but make it available for the local swim teams and relieve the pressure now absorbed by the current facilities providing the use of their pools for the teams.

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm