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Home My WebLink AboutAnnual Report Augusta Richmond GA DOCUMENT NAME: }r-V\ V\lJ..CI. \ 'Revov+- DOCUMENT TYPE:~eVor \-s YEAR: \ O\Cfl ..,., BOX NUMBER: 'J FILE NUMBER: \ 3LPtJ \ NUMBER OF PAGES: \ \ I I I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I Augusta Recreation and Parks Department Annual Report 1997 Governed By The Augusta Commission Larry E. Sconyers, Mayor W''illiam H. Mays, Chairman Public Services Com m ittee Charles R. Oliver, City Ad+ninistrator James~. Wall, City Attorney Tom F. Beck Jr., pirector ) I I I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Augusta Recreation and Parks "Where the Fun Begins" T able of Contents Mission Statement 1 Letter from the Director 2 Augusta Commission and Staff 3 Operating Budget 4 Programs and Services Economic Impact 5 Participation Data 6 Capital Improvements 7 - 8 Goals and Objectives 9 ,.:::::,.. ",:. :~~~. ", ',' ........ ... '" :::~, '~:: !~. i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I -=-- Our mission is to organize and maintain the highest quality of recreation and park services for Augusta. We will continue to explore and implement innovative ideas, programs, facilities, and services designed to meet the leisure needs of our citizens in an effort to enhance the "Quality of Life" in Augusta, Georgia. 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I It is my pleasure to present the 1997 Annual Report on Recreation and Park Services for the city of Augusta. As you will see in this report, the department had a productive year, offering a com.prehensive program of leisure services to our citizens. Participation in programs and activities within the department increa.sed over 300/0 from 1996 to 1997. With the addition of tbe Augusta Golf Course and Newman Tennis Center as Recreation and Parks facilities, the department has been able to offer a more versatile delivery of services to the public. Implementation of The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for park and facility improvements, funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for the years 1996- 2000 enhanced many of our existing facilities during the year. New facilities completed in 1997 include the Belle - Terrace Senior Center and Swim Center, and the Boathouse Community Center, which have added greatly to our ability to offer quality recreational facilities to our clients. ~7ith the support of the Mayor, members of the Augusta Comlnission, hundreds of volunteers and our professional staff, we are determined to meet the present recreational needs of our citizens and effectively plan for the future demands for leisure . . . servIces In our communIty. Tom F. Beck Jr. Director 2 Willie Anderson Cyndi Ashley. Charles Bartlett Tom F. Beck, Ir. Jerry Beeland John Bennett Matilda Bennett Darrell Bennett Frank Booker Freddie Booker Ruth Bou/ineau Lula Bush Jacob Butler Beverly Carter George Clements lohn Cobb David Collins Donnell Conley Bernard Dickerson loyce Downs Cheryl Edwards Cassandra Foat Marion Gibson Tony Greene Lynda Hand Debra Hall Sirlester "Bo" Harrison Richard Hatfield lohnny Hawk Ir. Bobby Hester James Herbert Edward Hooks 1997 Augusta Commission & Staff Commission Larry Sconyers, Mayor Freddie Handy, Mayor Pro Temp Lee Beard, District 1 Rob Zetterberg, District 3 Moses Todd, District 4 Henry H. Brigham, District 5 James B. Powell, District 6 Jerry Brigham, District 7 Ulmer Bridges, District 8 William H. Mays, Ill, District 9 William B. Kuhlke,lr., District 10 Charles R. Oliver, Administrator James B. Wall, Attorney Recreation and Parks Staff Ron Houck Robert Howard Edward Howerton Carlose Hughes Walter C. Hunter Leila Jackson lacquerlyn lames Fred Johnson Richard Johnson Stan Jones Vera Jones Raford Kelly David KingCannon Robby Kiser Chrislynne Kuhlke Nora Lamb Sandra Lamb Ed Lowery John Majors Robbie Martin Tonia Mason Tammy McFeely Joy Meyer Tony Miller Will Mills Charlie Mims Melinda Moody Tom Moraetes Lawerence Murphy Patrick Murphy Chuck Nelson Marilyn Newton 3 Janie O'Bryant Richard Oliver Shirley Osborn Lohn Payne Dana Pettigrew Ouida Pippins Roy Pirtle Jim Player Lillie President Guy Reid Scott Rodgers Buck Salter Inez Shoultz Dan Smith Joanie Smith Sam Stephenson Patricia Strakosch Terry Taylor Lloyd Thomas Charles Thompson Jeanette Thurmond John B. Tutt John Walker lohnny Walker Marion Ware leanne Ward Emily Wiggins Mike Williamson Teretha Wright Peng Xin Josie Young I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I - Augusta is comprised of 202,000 residents. The $4.8 million dollar operating budget for recreation reflects a $23.76 per capita expense. There are 46 separate operating expense accounts within the Recreation department along with several capital improvement accounts. In 1997, the revenues generated through registration fees, concessions, user fe(~s facility rentals, and sponsorship was $1,048,240.88)~ which met the revenue projections for the year. Personnel and support staff comprise 65% of the overall budget for Recreation and Parks. Support personnel manage some 900 + acres of park and open space, which houses 59 recreation areas, ten(10) commu.nity centers, ten (10) supervised neighborhood recreation centers, 28 unsupervised recreation areas, one (1) craft/ceramics facility, one golf course, two tennis centers, one indoor aquatics facility, one senior adult center, a central maintenance operation area and an administrative office building. 1997 Personnel/Support Staff 95 79 131 50 720 376 20 Full titne/Salaried Part-titTLe/Hourly Seasonal/T emporary Volunteer Program Leaders Volunteer Coaches Officials (Contract) Instructors (Contract) * Note this figure includes revenue generated at Newman Tennis Center and Augusta Golf Course. E~xpenses Revenues . Personnel . Materials & Supplies . Repairs, Utilities and Maintenance . User Fees & Rentals . Concessions . Sponsorship 4 I ~~.m Over the years Recreation has grown substantially, not only in our city, but on a national level as well. In 1997, we served 3,087,461 citizens, which is a 330/0 increase from 1996. Programs ranged from neighborhood arts and crafts to instructional classes and athletic programs. Special events for pre - school to senior adults also were a highlight to the programs and services rendered. Some of the exceptional programs for 1997 included Ceramics, After school programs (Loud Crowd), Summer Day Camp (Fun Zone), Youth Track and Field, Small Fry Olympics, Time to Care Halloween Carnival, Mayfest'97, Chilli- Willie Tennis Tournament, Special Olympics, Youth Boys Baseball, Adult Men's Softball, Senior Adult Valentine Ball, Georgia Games- East District Sports Festival, Golf tournaments, Youth Basketball Of America T ournament, Women's Boxing Championships, and Blythe Fever. Recreation and Parks hosted numerous programs that impacted the local economy. Events such as softball and baseball tournaments, tennis tournaments, track and field . meets, boxing matches, golf tournaments, basketball tournaments and other programs brought in over $4 million in economic impact to the area. ~, .iI I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Areas 1996 1997 Adult Athletic'!: 75,241 75,3lii Augusta Golf Course - 22,000 rounds Augusta Boxinl; Oub - 1,212 Aquatics 81,236 63,311 Belle Terrace Community Center 520,778 523,852 Bernie Ward Community Center Fleming Complex 497,282 556,950 Blount Park 8,056 5,970 Blythe Community Center 38,014 41,117 Doughty Park 17.080 12,625 Dyess Park CoDlmunity Center 61,035 23,427 EastView Park 6,075 8,723 Fun Zone SumDler Enrichment Program 3,400 3,400 General Park U:age 451,525 511,000 Hephzibah COlIlmunity Center 69,188 25,860 Hickman Park 36,442 38,325 Hyde Park 41,307 15,747 Jamestown Community Center 49,526 20,000 May Park Community Center 172,011 249,688 McBean Activitic:s Center 26,398 29,196 McDuffie woo~ Community Center 281,447 284,730 Merry Street Cra;ft Shop 6,312 6,000 Minnick Park 12,914 16,392 New Savannah'B.luff Lock & Dam 31,621 31,621 Rentals/MeetingslV oting 75,900 121,785 Savannah Place Multi-Purpose Center 18,767 21,387 Special Events 48,829 59,147 Tennis 15,679 107,672 W.T.Johnson Community Center 204,340 230,410 Warren Road Community Center 291,033 325,529 Youth Athletics 197,242 213,045 TOTAL 2,910,503 3,803,503 (30% increase from 1996) 6 Maddox Road Soccer Complex Constmcted a seven field soccer facility. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I - During fiscal year 1997, the Department of Recreation and Parks witnessed substantial growth in land acquisition and park development. So much so, the Department hired a full- time Planning and Development Manager to artminister the day to day operations of the Special PUIpose Local Option Sales Tax, Phase III program which is providing dedicated dollars to park constmction, acquisition, development and improvements. In 1997 alone, over $6.2 million were budgeted directly to fund our aging park system. Through this vehicle and through a concerted effort with publidprivate partnerships, the Department has seen immediate impact and success that have made a positive step in increasing the awareness of leisure services in our community and our sincere efforts at developing the quality of life we have come to expect and deserve. COMPLETED PRQTECTS The Boat House A joindy funded project between the City of Augusta and the Augusta Rowing Club, Inc. Constmction of the lower level boat storage and training area and second floor renovations to enhance our premier river- front community rental facility. Belle Terrace Swim Center Opened the Department's first indoor aquatics center. Warren Road Community Center Lighted new jog/walk. trail, new playground and picnic shelter, tennis court, lighting and parking improvements. M.M. Scott Park Tennis court, parking, lighting and play- ground improvements. Gracewood Community Center Playground, parking and landscaping improvements. Jamestown Community Center Playground, parking, drainage and picnic shelter improvements. Carroll/Hephzibah Community Center Playground, parking, lighting, drainage and fencing improvements. Belle Terrace Senior Center Constmction of a new senior center that includes aerobics room, ceramics room assembly/cafeteria room to seat 200, full service kitchen and administrative offices. Funding for this project was through Community Development Block Grant. 7 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I PARKS IN PROGRESS South Augusta Regional Park Currently in design stage for this 203 acre regional facility. Blythe Community Center Acquired. 35 acres for park development. Currently in design stage for a new community center. Dyess Park Interior and exterior painting, general building renovations, purchased new play equipment and picnic shelter to be installed the first of 1998. Lake Olmstead Park Phase 1 designed and bid with construction to begin January, 1998. Phase 1 to include lighting, roadway, parking, ingress/egress, boat ramp and drainage improvements. Fleming Complex Currendy in the design stage with improvements to include new fencing, irrigation, new scoreboards, new bleachers, .re-Iamping of ballfields, new signage and scoring tower renovations. Savannah Place Park Currently in the design stage. Improvements to include .:onstruction of a covered out- door lighted basketball court, new play equipment;, parking and drainage unprovements. Augusta Aquatics Center Currently in the design stage featuring 50 meter swimming pool, separate diving well, fitness room, concession area, meeting and office space and seating for @1000 spectators. May Park Currently in the design stage for park and community center improvements. W.T. Johnson Community Center Currently out for bid on renovations to include gymnasium, ballfield, lighting. Elliott Park Administrative office renovations, re- painting of park structures. New play- ground for 1998. Fleming Tennis Center Currently in the design stage. To include the construction of four new tennis courts along with renovations to existing courts. Belle Terrace Community Center Interior renovations have taken place. Currently in the design stage on roof renovations and out for bid for brick work on exterior of the facility. 8 Goal. To provide a safe and enjoyable environment to the public utilizing park services within the city of Augusta Objective 1 Create and maintain a higher standard for park beautification and general cleanliness. Improve the ornamental horticulture program to a level of excellence. Completion Percentage: 70% I I I Objective 2 Develop and implement the district supervisor system to assist the Operations Division in I the inspection and regular monitoring of park and facility maintenance. Completion Percentage: 100% I Objective 3 Continue to upgrade existing parks funded this year through the Capital Improvement Program, funded by SPLOST Phase III, to provide up quality facilities. within our current park system. I Completion Percentage: 100% I Objective 4 Continue to implement new park construction projects to meet the future recreation I service needs of the citizens of Augusta - Richmond County: Aquatics Natatorium, Belle Terrace Swim Center, West Augusta Soccer Complex and South Augusta Regional Park. Completion Percentage: 50% Goal. To develop, organize and implement an exciting high quality recreation program to offer the citizens of Augusta Objective 1 Increase program exposure with better publicity of program services with semi - annual brochures and news releases. Completion Percentage: 100% , Goal. To provide the Augusta Commission with a motivated, enthusiastic and competent staff to serve the public Objective 1 Support and utilize the city - wide employee of the month program by selecting a departmental employee of the month on a regular basis. Completion Percentage: 100% Objective 2 Implement a quarterly social event for employees to foster team building. Completion Percentage: 50% 9 I I I I I I I I I