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11c Recreation Center; January CITY OF 690 COULTER DRI~1;)P;O37E~(~:01~TF;~:(~I1A~-19,~TS~3N~ CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 MEMORANDUM TO: Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director FROM: Dawn Beitel, Recreation Supervisor ...~,; DATE: February 22, 1996 SUB J: Chanhassen Recreation Center The numbers are in for the first quarter (September-December) of operations at the Recreation Center. Although the numbers do not reflect a normal quarter (due to free classes and exercise facility use for a month), I was pleased to see the January numbers coming in higher in comparison to any of the individual months in 1995. February has been a busy month as well, but there is still a long way to go in order to meet projected revenues for 1996. Revenue Programs Punchcard/Exercise Facility Rentals Sept-Dec 95 $3664.14 Res. S10,236.16 Non-Res $2229.16 $3995.00 Jan. 96 460.13 Res. $ 4,177.50 Non-Res $1144.50 3251.50 Next to be initiated is the drop-in child care program at the Recreation Center. With Council's approval, our next step is to hire staff, purchase equipment, and promote usage. My hope was to begin March 1, however, it is more likely to be seen around the time of my departure. Some good news is in regards to the shared custodian for Bluff Creek school and the Recreation Center. This position is working well, and a progress meeting is being held this week between myself and the custodial staff to continue this positive working relationship. Another area to report on is our programs which have grown to be popular, such as the parent/tot open gym, adult open basketball, and open volleyball, and Saturday aerobics classes. City to start child-care nursery at Chanhassen Recreation Center By Dean Trippler Patrons of the Chanhassen Recre- ation Center take heart. Soon, you will have an in-house nursery to use when you're exercising and taking part in the activities at the Recreation Cen- tel The Chanhassen City Council ap- proved the idea on Monday night, subject to a six-month review. The idea is for the city to provide a drop-in day care facility from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. each Monday through Friday, with the possibility of Saturday hours if demand is there. Morning hours, according to city staff, are the most popular workout times. Dawn Beitel of the city Park and Recreation Department told the coun- cil that ever since the Recreation Cen- ter opened, users have asked when a nursery facility would be made avail- able. "Not a day goes by when a half d6zen don't ask us about it," she said. "This is the most requested item at the Recreation Center, except for a pool." The plan would be to offer nurs- ery services to children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 6 years for one hour minimum and two hours maximum at a cost of $3 to $4 per hour per child. Beitel said that the center does not need to be licensed for day care, since the parents would only be'allowed to use the facility if they are on-site, sim- ilar to the nursery at a church. She said that the Chaska School District suggested that the person co- ordinating the program be educated in child care, and that the nursery fa- cility have at least two staff members present. The Park and Recreation Depart- ment surveyed day care facilities in Chanhassen and asked whether they provide drop-in service and at what cost. Of the five facilities, three offer drop-in service if staffing levels allow, but at higher prices than the city's pro- posal. Also, the Park and Recreation Department is in the midst of survey- ing Recreation Center users on the need for a nursery, with the majority of the responses, so far, for the idea. "We feel that if we accommodate the people, it will help the Recreation Center," Beitel said. Council members voiced pros and cons for the proposal. Steve Berquist had mixed emo- tions, saying the initial capital invest- ment wasn't there, and that the idea sets up the city in a day,care business. Beitel and others pointed out, though, that the concept is not for a full-blown day care but a drop-in nurs- ery while parents are in the building exercising. Assistant City Manager Todd Ger- hardt said that if the city popped for $700 in toys and cribs, etc., the mon- ey will be made back quickly. The Park and Recreation Depart- ment, Beitel said, typically gives new programs ,a while to get going and gauges the response. "It takes time to get. the word out," she said. "But I think it will be full." "If people are asking for it, it seems it's something we should pro- vide," council member Mike Mason said. The councilagreed and OK'd the concept.