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CASE Committee Meeting Minutes 1-19-23 FINALCASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, 19 JANUARY 2023 PAGE 1 | 5 1. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Member Thomas Walsh (virtually), Pedro Campos, Justin Chesney, Doug Jimenez, and Committee Chair Lisa Mattis Town Council: Mayor Amy Phillips and Town Council Member Ruth Stanley (virtually) Staff: Culture, Arts & Special Events Manager Danita Dempsey, Special Events Coordinator Chelsea Van Winkle, Community Development Director Matt Pielsticker and Recreation Department Director Michael Labagh Consultants: Megan Testin, Principal, Norris Design, Lindsay Newman. Senior Associate, Norris Design and John Barnholt, Facility Performance Advisor, Barker Brinker Seacat Architecture Absent: Town Council Member Lindsay Hardy The meeting was called to order at 12:32 p.m. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments were made. 3. MINUTES Committee Member Doug Jimenez motioned to approve the minutes from December 15, 2022. Committee Member Justin Chesney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 4. STAFF UPDATE La Zona Project Presentation Community Development Director, Matt Pielsticker, went through the background and scope of the La Zona Project. He explained that Tract G was inherited when the Town of Avon was incorporated, and it is zoned for public use. La Zona is a part of Tract G and includes the Library, Rec Center, Main Street Mall, and Old Fire Station. La Zona “means” the crossroads of Harry A Nottingham Park and Town Core. Megan Testin and Lindsay Newman from Norris Design then presented the initial planning ideas and drafts of the La Zona Project. See full presented in the committee packet (available at Avon.org). They stated that what they are looking at is how to link the eastern part of town to Tract G and how it will benefit the community and bring people together. Megan Testin and Lindsay Newman from Norris Design reviewed the spaces involved in La Zona and emphasized to the group that the presentation is more about concept and is not exactly what it will be. They explained that the first space is the Main Street Mall, and the idea is to have a visual vernacular of the space and make it attractive and exciting as it is the gateway of the project. It then moves through Main Street Mall from a pedestrian space to the recreation area. They are looking at the space based on how you would move through Avon without a car. Once you get to the Rec Center, this space should be a play zone and make it a safe space to cross the road. They noted that the mockups are based off the maximum Rec Center expansion footprint option. The next space is the enhanced crossing at Mikaela Way, in which they are looking at a safer crossing that gives pedestrians the right of way. What is important is people can see where they are going and make the visual connection to Nottingham Park . They explained that there is a huge opportunity right outside of Town Hall where the Town of Avon can create a civic space. Lettuce Shed Lane is also involved in the project and is the crossroads where the Main Street Mall connects to the Transit Center and gondola . CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, 19 JANUARY 2023 PAGE 2 | 5 Megan Testin and Lindsay Newman from Norris Design then went over the details of the three different options for the 351 Benchmark property. The top goals for this site are complimentary use of the park and the rec center. In addition, this site is the heart of La Zona and is supposed to be inclusive and used by the entire community. We want to take advantage of the views and the destination as well as anchor the Main Street Mall. 1. Community & Events Building: this space could be a wedding location, event space, meeting space, community gathering location, office space, etc. There are several things this building could be, it could fill a variety of building needs. The Library liked this idea and envisioned there could be synergy with the programs they offer. 2. Skate Park: it is appropriate because it is adjacent to the Library and Rec Center as well as you have easy access with transit. It is a healthy outlet for the teen generation and the Library is in favor as they thought it would engage kids and get them into the library. Matt Pielsticker jumped in and explained that there are other town properties that could suit this concept as well. They are working with an outside group that would like to bring a skate park to Avon. 3. Pickleball Courts: four pickleball courts could fit in this space with room for seating and potential tournaments. One point to consider is that this could cause an issue with noise being that close to the library. They explained it is one of the most growing sports in the nation and the age group is really expanding. These options were also part of the concept phase, but they did not fit the goal of the space. 4. Parking: the site can accommodate 50 parking spaces. There is also an option of podium parking with parking below and an event space over the top . Megan Testin reviewed the La Zona project schedule and next steps which are capturing the voices of the local community. The Committee commented/inquired: A. For the Community & Events Building, where will guests park? I don’t worry about activating an events space if there is parking. B. Parking is a priority before we really dive into what the 35 1-benchmark property can be. C. Raised concerns about athletic type uses being too loud next to the library. D. Skate Park looks amazing and fits the park space and feel. E. Could the space be a covered area for parking and used in the winter for special events ? F. The space should be used by the Town of Avon as a competitive advantage not just for a “community space” like meetings, office space, etc. G. How long does the “placemaking” structures need to be replaced? We need to look at things that are timeless or if not, that we plan for when they need to be replaced. H. One thing we need to consider is that we have to have shading in these areas. I. Think about a way to absorb sound at the entrance to the Main Street Mall (Possibilities Plaza) if we see that as an event space. This space is noisy with bus traffic. J. Would like to see something in the space that is relevant to the values of the community . Something around athletics. K. What holds cultural currency in Avon? L. Do you know the decibel of the skate park ? M. Do we have other pickle ball courts? 10 courts seems like a lot. CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, 19 JANUARY 2023 PAGE 3 | 5 N. I feel people have options for skate parks in the community, there will be an influx of people skateboarding around the lake and roads near the park which could pose a potential safety issue. O. If there are limited funds, a multi-use plaza is what I would like to see. How you connect the park to the Main Street Mall is of huge importance. When the park is wet, there are not enough places to spend time and hang out. P. There are other regional park options coming online for skate parks and pickle ball courts to consider. And there are other options for parking options. Q. Other communities use micro-transit or walk to parks, event spaces and the like. Matt Pielsticker responded that parking is critical and that it is not currently in place. Megan Testin explained that the decibel of a skate park has not been researched. John from Barker Brinker Seacat Architecture stated that the pickle ball world is causing issues with decibels. For example, in Denver they are hearing complaints from neighboring communities about the noise. Michael Labagh responded, that yes, the Town of Avon has six pickle ball, two tennis and two basketball courts that are open to the public. Rec Center Expansion Recreation Department Director Michael Labagh introduced the Rec Center expansion presented included in the committee packet. The focus for this project is what has been talked about in the past, what has been asked by the community through surveys and staff interviews. The options are more of a la carte structure and entail what the future needs of the entire community are as we are projected to grow by 50% in the next 20 years. He explained that not everything has to fit here but, in the current, building the Town of Avon has already maximized the space. John Barnholt, Facility Performance Advisor from Barker Brinker Seacat Architecture presented the Rec Center potential expansion options. There are six different opportunities and options that you can take different components from. These options are included in the committee packet with greater detail (available at Avon.org). 1. Option 1: Fitness Focus with Community Support – would include adding a two-story area and house a dedicated weight area along with a functional fitness area. In addition, it would add a child watch and multi-use room along with expanding and modernizing the lobby area . Michael Labagh stated that this model is what staff feel would meet the needs of today. 2. Option 2: Staffing Focus – for the staffing focus, most change would be on the second floor which would add staff offices and workspaces. 3. Option 3: Main Lobby and Climbing Wall – adds additional lobby space and a climbing wall. It creates more of a community center fell, in addition to the fitness center. There would be passive lounge lobby space and a focus on teen and senior programming. 4. Option 4: Removing Existing Spas and Increase Spas – children and adult only spas. 5. Option 5: Pool Renovations – removal of the existing slide and replacing it with a water slide that is outside of the building to create more space on the deck. This would also allow for modernization of the activity pool and adding more interactive play features. CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, 19 JANUARY 2023 PAGE 4 | 5 6. Option 6: Add an 8-lane Pool for Competitive Swimming – this would allow for competitive swimming competitions in Avon as the nearest competitive pool is Glenwood Springs. It would also include additional lobby space and locker room. 7. Option 7: Gymnasium Instead of a Pool – this is an additional option that has not been explored yet but will be. The Committee commented/inquired: A. Has the membership of the Rec Center facilities increased over the years? B. This is the only place in Eagle County that has a competitive swim team, and they do an amazing job! C. Whatever we do needs to move with the future. D. What is the primary constraint? What I am hearing is the primary constraint is money but the next is parking. E. Is a climbing wall in most Rec Centers you see today? F. The climbing wall is a 12-month use whereas the skate park is only a 5-month use. What I hear is there is not enough year-round availability of stuff to do in Avon for kids and teens. G. There would be a huge draw if we were able to host swim meets as there is not a competitive swim team at Battle Mountain High School. H. Are there plans for concessions for the swim teams? I. What can we do in the shoulder season? It sounds like the huge price tag for the swimming pool would create a sense of community and be a draw specific to Avon. J. The only way this works is if we are building a parking structure somewhere in Avon. K. The revenue portion is relevant to offset the cost and should be fully developed to further conversation. L. With Nottingham Lake having swimming in the summer, Avon could be the “swimming water place” which makes us unique. Recreation Department Director Michael Labagh responded that in general, the daily visitation is significantly higher on average and that the Rec Center front desk has already turned into a community center. People are there all day; they go in and ask questions and use it for more than just a fitness center. John Barnholt, Facility Performance Advisor from Barker Brinker Seacat Architecture stated that yes from what he is seeing Rec Centers with climbing walls are a trend but depends on the demographic and location of the facility. There are new facilities which elected to not install climbing walls due to saturation. He also explained that operating costs are expensive for a spa and pool center in addition to the upfront building cost. Michael Labagh commented on the competitive swim teams and 8-lane pool that there are revenue opportunities. The pool would help with heads in beads and sales tax as swim meets are multi-day bringing 100’s of people to town. He continued that meets are usually between October – March/April plus a summer season which could help fuel the shoulder season as well. There would be a party room that would house concessions, or they could also use the front desk lobby. Michael Labagh agreed that all the expansion options need more parking. He stated that although he agrees about more parking, a lot of the tournaments that people travel to, there is no onsite parking available as people are staying nearby. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:38 p.m. CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, 19 JANUARY 2023 PAGE 5 | 5 Respectfully submitted by: Chelsea Van Winkle Special Events Coordinator