9.13.22 HR Meeting Minutes-FINALHEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 PAGE 1 | 3
1. ROLL CALL
Present- Committee Members: Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan and Committee Members Nancy Tashman, Kathy
Ryan, Lisa Post, Pam Warren (virtual) and Jose Chavez.
Staff: Recreation Director of Recreation Michael Labagh, Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael, and Town
Manager Eric Heil.
Town Council: Councilor Scott Prince
Absent-
Committee Member: Kevin Hyatt
Town Council: Mayor Sarah Smith Hymes, Councilor Lindsay Hardy
Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan opened the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Committee Member Nancy Tashman made a motion to approve the agenda for the September 13, 2022 meeting and
Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan seconded the motion and Recreation Director Labagh declared the agenda approved.
3. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 2022 MEETING MINUTES
Committee Member Kathy Ryan made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 19, 2022 meeting and Nancy
Tashman seconded the motion and Recreation Director Labagh declared the minutes approved.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were made.
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.1 Appointing a new Committee Chairman
Tom Kiddoo has resigned from the Health and Recreation committee. The committee appointed Kevin Hyatt as the
new Chairman.
5.2 Recreation Department Update
Recreation Director Labagh reviewed the Rec Center Update slides available in the packet materials at Avon.org. He
covered daily visits, total monthly visits and admissions revenue for 2022 through August. He stated this was the
highest revenue summer on record. A budget revision is in order for an increase of $303,167 for 2022. He included a
bar graph showing 2017 through 2022 monthly average daily visits, clearly showing 2022 as exceeding past tallies. The
update included Facility Updates on Reduced Pool Hours and a focus on Lifeguard recruitment. There will also be a
closure of the pool area from October 3-30th for repair, maintenance and cleaning. He also updated the Committee on
summer programming like summer camp, drop-in sports, the beach volleyball league, swim meets and the sports courts
reconstruction project. Looking forward to the fall, he went over upcoming programming including afterschool care,
sports tournaments, swim lessons, safety training and new fitness programs.
The Committee commented/inquired:
A. What is the difference in attendance this summer between Residents and Non -Residents?
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 PAGE 2 | 3
B. Is there a daily visit count for Pickleball?
C. What is contributing to the higher daily visits and admission revenue this summer?
D. Is there a separate count for swimming pool users vs. fitness center users?
E. Is the hot tub fixed?
F. We have the best Pickleball Courts in the valley. Pickleball reaches more of the population than other activities.
G. Will there be wind screens added at the Pickleball courts?
H. Will there be reservations times for Pickleball?
Recreation Director Michael Labagh said he can work on an analysis of resident vs. non-resident daily visits for this
summer and there is not a daily visit count for the Pickleball courts. Director Labagh stated that Avon Recreation
Center admission fees are affordable and neighboring pools in Eagle County such as Mountain Recreation have had
limited swimming pool hours, drawing down valley customers to the Avon Recreation Center swimming pool. The daily
visits presented on the slides does not differentiate between swimming pool users and fitness center users because the
daily admission includes both amenities. Town Manager Eric Heil added the Piedmont Apartments recently built added
to the population of Town of Avon and there is a new hotel on the north side of I-70 with a capacity of 300 rooms.
These increases to the population could contribute to the increase in daily visits to the Avon Recreation Center. Town
Manager Eric Heil also mentioned the price of admission is more affordable than the Westin Hotel.
Recreation Director Michael Labagh reported the hot tub was fixed about a year ago, but the plumbing for the jets was
re-purposed to serve as essential circulation for the pool. The hot tub no longer leaks and ma intains a heated
temperature of 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit. He answered the question about wind screens for Pickleball courts will be
installed soon, along with new signage. There will not be reservation times for the Pickleball courts but there are
opportunities for private lessons and group rentals, however not more than 3 Pickleball courts will be rented at one time.
5.3 La Zona Planning Project Update
Recreation Director Labagh provided updates on the La Zona Planning Project. The Town is working with Norris
Design and BRS Architecture including a site walk conducted July 11, 2022. Town Manager Eric Heil informed the
Committee the first drafts for La Zona will come out in December. There are over a dozen ideas for the old Fire
Department location, and all will be considered. When the ideas are narrowed down to 1 or 2 concept plans, then it will
be brought to public process. Town Manager Eric Heil stated the Avon Recreation Center is at capacity.
The Committee commented/inquired:
A. Is it possible to have the old Fire Dept building turned into a Senior Center and Kitchen ?
Town Manager Eric Heil mentioned there are other projects in the Town of Avon that could lead to a Senior Center as
well as Child Care facilities. He stated research has shown Eagle County is approximately 1,700 Child Care spaces
short. He would like to see Child Watch implemented at the Avon Recreation Center.
5.4 2023 Recreation Department Outlook
Recreation Director Labagh reviewed focal points for 2023 including expanded fitness center hours, fee adjustments,
expanded programming, increased community partnerships, additional staff, staff professional development and La
Zona Planning project.
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 PAGE 3 | 3
The Committee commented/inquired:
A. Request for a “walk only” zone on the west side of Nottingham Lake, bicycles present a safety hazard.
B. When will the sedimentation pond for Nottingham Lake be dredged?
C. Why is there a need for signs that say “pardon the smell” around the sedimentation pond in the park?
D. What ADA accessibility features are present at Town of Avon Parks and Facilities?
E. The Flying swing on the playground is a joy to watch children enjoy.
Recreation Director Labagh stated the sedimentation pond is scheduled for maintenance this fall and requested to
address the ADA accessibility question more thoroughly at the next Health & Rec Committee meeting after he meets
with Public Works Director Eva Wilson specifically on this topic.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Committee Member Kathy Ryan motioned to adjourn the meeting and Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan seconded the motion.
Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan declared the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Kacy Carmichael
Aquatics Superintendent