11 PRSR 03-11-2020Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: March 11, 2020
Subject: Director’s Report
This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to recent collaborations, strategic
planning, staff changes/developments, and park operations.
Annual Park Stewards Meeting
The annual Park Stewards Meeting will be held on March 11 at 5:30 p.m. prior to the Commission
meeting.
Naming Rights for Multipurpose Facility and Lion John Weicht Park
The City Council approved the naming rights professional services agreement with Front Burner
Sports on March 2. Front Burner will perform the services in two phases from March through
December 2021. Phase One starts this month to evaluate and determine the valuation of the assets
of the facility and Lion John Weicht Park. This includes the development of solicitation materials.
Then after about four months this summer, Phase Two will begin contracting, activation and sales
of naming and partnership levels.
City Council also appointed two members to serve on the Naming Rights Committee – Mayor John
Dietz and Council Member Jennifer Wagner. The staff members on the Committee are Cal Portner
and Michael Hecker. The Committee will assist with the development of solicitation materials and
provide regular feedback. The consultant, Chris Potenza, plans to conduct interviews with individual
members of City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commission members will be
contacted the end of this month to set up dates in April to meet with Chris.
Spectrum Outdoor Hockey Rink
On February 27, 2020, the Spectrum School Board approved the purchase and installation of a 200’
x 85’ dasher board system at their athletic facility. The installation will be completed this July. Lights
have already been installed. The Commission and Council approved an agreement in 2019 with
Spectrum for the city to flood the rink for community public times and staff the warming house.
Item: 11
Active Elk River Park Improvements
I think we might have it right this time. Chair Anderson requested a timeline of the Active Elk River
park improvements. It is attached to this document along with one specifically for Orono Park
outlining the dates for the various park improvements.
Active Elk River Park Improvements Orono Park and YAC
Services of a multidisciplinary team with park design and construction plan experience for both
active and passive public park components is required to assist staff in preparing plans for the
elements as outlined in the Active Elk River park improvements. The disciplines include landscape
architecture, architecture, civil engineering, mechanical, electrical and structural engineering. This
will be to fully design and administer the construction for both park facilities.
Submission of proposals will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. The consultant will
be approved by Council on April 20, 2020.
All construction and the final inspection of these improvements must be completed by October 1,
2021. As part of the RFP, the Commission will be updated throughout the process on the design
plans for Orono Park, including the review of 90% plans.
Woodland Trails Regional Park Nature Play and Shelter Project RFP
Bids for the nature play and shelter project will be submitted on Thursday, March 5. The Council
will consider award of contract at their regular meeting on March 16. Work on this project must be
substantially completed by August 14, 2020.
PROJECT COST
(million)
NOTES TIMELINE
Orono Park
Improvements
$2.5 Splash pad
Skatepark
Pickleball court
Basketball court
Modern restrooms
Expanded beach area
Trail connections
Sand volleyball courts
Reconfigured parking lots
Project bids spring 2020
Review design plans
summer 2020
Construction 2021
Full completion late
2021
TOTAL COST: $2.5M
Item: 11
PROJECT COST
(million)
NOTES TIMELINE
Multipurpose Facility $27.5 Year-round ice and dry-floor
event space
Two full-size sheets of ice
Event/meeting space
Dedicated locker room spaces
30,000 sq.ft. fieldhouse (turf)
Dedicated senior space to meet
the growing demand for
programs for 55+ residents
Retail, café space
Work began July 2019
Rink 1 open July 2020
Fieldhouse open fall
2020
Grand opening
celebration fall 2020
Lion John Weicht Park Two ball fields
Field lighting
Modern restrooms
Concessions
100-person pavilion
Expanded parking
Pavilion and restrooms
complete summer 2020
Softball season begins
spring 2021
Youth Athletic Complex $2 Lighting on fields 1-6
Playground
Modern restrooms
Concessions
Lights complete May
2020
Playground complete
July 2020
Construction on
restrooms and
concessions begins
August 2020
Lake Orono Restoration
and Enhancement
(LORE)
$1 Remove sediment from
shoreline erosion
Add wildlife habitats
Remove invasive plants
Improve overall water quality
Enhanced experience for those
swimming, fishing, boating, etc.
Lake drawdown August
2020
Dredging to take place
winter 2020-2021
Trail Improvements $2 Close current gaps in the trail
system connecting
neighborhoods, schools, and
park facilities
Dedicate funds for new trails
where city/public right-of-way
currently exists
All trail improvements
completed by 2023
Orono Park
Improvements
$2.5 Splash pad
Skatepark
Pickleball court
Basketball court
Modern restrooms
Expanded beach area
Trail connections
Sand volleyball courts
Reconfigured parking lots
Project bids spring 2020
Review design plans
summer 2020
Construction 2021
Full completion late
2021
TOTAL COST: $35M
Item: 11