The Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District board members met in regular session Tuesday evening.
The board began the meeting by hearing comments from the public in attendance. Bellefontaine resident, Tyler Rister expressed his concern to the board about the city’s skate park conditions. Rister stated the park is in disrepair and that there is enough interest in the area to warrant its revitalization. Rister presented the board with photos of other cities that have skate parks and asked if this is something that could be considered for the city in the near future. The board agreed that this project should be added to the master plan. Rister and other community members have stepped up to help the city with the skateboard park project.
Park superintendent Kris Myers went on to give his monthly report to the board. Myers said that the 2023 registration for spring sports has begun and registrations are on track with where they were in previous years.
Tuesday marked the end of sign-ups for Bellefontaine’s very first, Chieftain Run Club. This new program is open to children who are in Grades 3-5 for the 2022-2023 school year. The Run Club will mentor and inspire young athletes by setting goals and preparing to compete in an end-of-year Fun Run. Over 30 students signed up for the Run Club.
Tennis Camp for the City of Bellefontaine is set for two sessions, session 1 is set for June 12-16th & session 2 is set for July 10-14th. You can get more details and sign up at:https://bellefontaineoh.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29830.
Myers went on to report that with warmer recent temperatures, many softball and baseball teams have been able to practice outside and almost all batting cages have been put up. With spring just around the corner, maintenance has begun for the park’s equipment to prepare for the mowing season.
The Hoffman pool is looking for lifeguards and is set to open on May 27th. Find the lifeguard application at: https://bellefontaineoh.myrec.com/info/default.aspx.
The board then went on to approve several requests; a shortwave radio group will put up a net-like structure in a corner in Southview Park on April 22nd for just a few hours; a new mover will be purchased at $45,000 or less for the use of park mowing; a city mower will be retired and sold for $3,000-$15,000; and approve the by-laws & the constitution of the city’s football program, appointing Josh Stolly as President of that organization, Trey Daring as football Vice-President and Amy Kerns as cheerleading Vice-President.
Lastly, Curt Peterson resigned from the board in February due to scheduling conflicts, and Keyne Strickland was appointed by Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler as his replacement. Strickland will complete Peterson’s term, which will conclude in 2024.
Due to spring break, the next meeting of the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District board is set to take place on April 11th at 7 p.m.
