Loading...
Health & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes - 1.20.26 - FINALHEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM Page 1 of 5 1. ROLL CALL Present- Committee Members: Committee Chair Nancy Tashman, Vice-Chair Lisa Post, Amy Phillips, Pat Nolan, Derek George and Kathy Ryan Staff: Recreation Director Michael Labagh, Recreation Services Superintendent Jerrica Miller, Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael, Town Manager Eric Heil Town Council: Councilor Kevin Hyatt, Councilor Ruth Stanley (virtual) Absent- Committee Members: Sonia Martinez and Courtney Walters Rawson Committee Chair Nancy Tashman opened the meeting at 12:02 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Committee Chair Nancy Tashman made a request for a motion to approve the agenda. Committee Member Amy Phillips moved to approve the agenda and Committee Member Pat Nolan seconded the motion. Committee Chair Nancy Tashman declared the agenda approved. 3. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 18, 2025 MEETING MINUTES Committee Chair Nancy Tashman made a request for a motion to approve the minutes of the November 18, 2025 meeting. Amy Phillips moved to approve the meeting minutes, Committee Member Kathy Ryan seconded the motion and Committee Chair Nancy Tashman declared the minutes approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Committee Member Kathy Ryan spoke on behalf of her neighborhood and shared that they are pleased with the cleanliness of the bus stops in town. 5. BUSINESS ITEMS 5.1 Health & Recreation Committee Update & 2026 Goal Setting Recreation Director Labagh provided an update of the upcoming open seats on the committee and explained the process for applying. He opened the discussion for questions about the application process. He reminded the Committee of their purpose, the Recreation Department’s Mission and Vision statements, and the 2026 Recreation Department outlook including program enhancements, Nottingham Park Plan Review, Aquatics Area Remodel, Wildridge Parks Redevelopment – Community Engagement, Village at Avon Park Planning, and Fitness Area Expansion Design. The committee commented/inquired: • Committee Member Amy Phillips requested that Michael provide an explanation for the committee for how they review the Harry A. Nottingham Park Plan. She also suggested if CASE and Health & Recreation Committees could hold a joint committee meeting. Recreation Director Michael Labagh explained the process and Town Manager Eric Heil provided further details. HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM Page 2 of 5 The Committee commented/inquired: • Committee Member Amy Phillips stated that long-term planning for both Village parcels, Lot B, Planning Area B and P3 should be included. She suggested that this committee could do preliminary work on timelines and goals for those projects. She reminded the Committee of the funding from Downtown Development Authority (DDA). • Committee Chair Nancy Tashman inquired about town influence on future development. • Committee Member Amy Phillips inquired about a new water tank as opposed to using existing water. • Committee Chair Nancy Tashman inquired about a dog park at the P3 park parcel. Town Manager Eric Heil explained the Town has quite a bit of discretion for planning in the Village at Avon. He explained how the land owned by the Town is connected. He also explained how Traer Creek may request a delay in the P3 park parcel, but there is much left to determine about timing. Eric also agreed that a dog park is a great idea because it is low cost and has been a suggested amenity previously. He said there are several factors with future development and there will be more information presented to the Committee to seek comments and direction. The Committee commented/inquired: • Committee Chair Nancy Tashman expressed a desire to assist with the Aquatics Area Remodel. • Committee Member Derek George expressed similar interest in the Fitness Area Expansion. • Committee Member Amy Phillips inquired about the Fitness Area Expansion timeline. • Committee Member Derek George inquired if the Aquatics and Fitness area renovations would overlap. • Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan asked that older adults be represented in community engagement. Recreation Director Michael Labagh explained that the Aquatics Area Remodel is set to be completed in 2026, and the Fitness Area Expansion could be completed in 2028 or possibly 2027. Town Manager Eric Heil explained the logistics of putting together a design team and managing them. The Pedestrian Mall and Fitness Area Expansion could be completed by the same contractor. If the two projects are completed by separate contractors, then the Pedestrian Mall would be prioritized first. The Pedestrian Mall project will include work in the Recreation Center west parking lot. The Committee commented/inquired: • Committee Chair Nancy Tashman inquired about the skate park in the East Park Restrooms’ location. Eric Heil and Michael Labagh explained that once the restrooms in the park are built, there could be sentiment that we need to maintain the grassy area for park use rather than a skate park. The Avon Skate Coalition could not provide the funds they initially came to the table with. The Committee commented/inquired: • Committee Member Kathy Ryan would like a bicycle education committee before it’s too late. She would like to see helmets for kids under 18, rules about tire width and speed limits. She also shared that people don’t want to come to public meetings because they don’t think their voices are heard. Recreation Director Michael Labagh paused the conversation to remind the Committee of the resources available for public meeting participation and education. He also touched on the work being done on bicycle education with Mountain Youth, Vail Health, Town of Eagle, Town of Avon, the Police Departments, and Eagle County. It was HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM Page 3 of 5 determined that Eagle County will be taking the lead on the e-bike safety initiatives. The Committee commented/inquired: • Committee Member Kathy Ryan stated that she’s glad to hear there’s some traction on this issue. • Committee Chair Nancy Tashman inquired about the “Slow Your Roll” signs and information about any bicycle related incidents last summer. • Committee Chair Nancy Tashman requested to see sunshades added for pickleball courts and inquired about designated parking for pickleball at Avon Elementary School. Recreation Director Michael Labagh said he’s received positive comments about the increase in signage. He affirmed that sunshades for outside of the pickleball courts are on their way. Michael also said he would recirculate the conversation with the Police Department and Avon Elementary School to see if there is a possibility of allowing parking at the outdoor courts. Recreation Director Michael Labagh then asked if the Health & Recreation Committee had any interest in providing updates and/or acting as an ambassador during AvonLive! events in the summer. The Committee commented/inquired: • Councilor Kevin Hyatt, Committee Chair Nancy Tashman, Committee Member Amy Phillips expressed support for the idea of providing information at the summer concerts. • Committee Member Amy Phillips stated that the committees have more people on them and help the public feel that they were involved in the decision-making process. • Committee Member Lisa Post inquired if the portable signs could be used for community engagement. • Committee Member Kathy Ryan suggested using free swag to work the crowd and ask for feedback. Recreation Director Michael Labagh reinforced the message that this kind of public outreach may be one of the easiest ways to meet people since we are setting up where they are already going to be. Town Manager Eric Heil confirmed that the Vehicle Message Signs and railroad bridge signs are intended for communication outside of community engagement efforts. 5.2 Recreation Department Update Recreation Director Labagh provided the statistics overview including 2024/2025 visitation and revenue comparison. The amount of visitation is high and not surprising due to the lack of snow. The Black Friday sale included a 4-month membership rather than a 5-month membership due to the Aquatics Area Remodel. Lower sale revenue was reported but that may help the Recreation Center manage its overcrowding issues. Michael also provided an overview of Avon Turkey Trot highlighting record attendance and improvements for collecting waivers. The committee commented/inquired: • Committee Member Derek George inquired about the breakdown of registrants between the 2K and 5K. • Committee Member Amy Phillips shared that she would like to continue to see the 2K offered. Recreation Services Superintendent Jerrica Miller shared that for the 5K, 679 registered and for the 2K, 254 registered. Recreation Director Michael Labagh inquired about what additional data would be beneficial for the Health & Recreation Committee to review. HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM Page 4 of 5 The committee commented/inquired: • Committee Member Amy Phillips would like to see a presentation on what programs are available for our aging population. • Committee Member Pat Nolan added that she would like to see data on class participation and age spread for participants. • Committee Member Amy Phillips would also like to know what’s offered at other local facilities. • Committee Member Pat Nolan agreed and would like to see program expansion such as groups that walk around the lake in the summer, or at least more marketing around available programs. • Committee Member Derek George would like to see programs focused on longevity with several committee members agreeing. • Several Committee members said that they are not receiving the information about Eagle County Healthy Aging presentations. Recreation Director Michael Labagh suggested that the Recreation Department help share information about what’s out there and available for the public. Recreation Director Michael Labagh stated that Recreation Department staff are not necessarily experts about longevity but could see if other providers are willing to work with us. He shared that Vail Health is currently launching a new program, and we could potentially partner with them. 5.3 Aquatics Area Remodel Update Recreation Director Michael Labagh provided an update on the design progress for the Aquatics Area Remodel. The pool area will close April 13 and tentatively reopen Friday November 20, 2026. He shared some renderings of the designs for the new waterslide, new hot tub and pool operations. He shared the communication plan and alternative pool options for patrons & programming. The committee commented/inquired: • Committee Member Lisa Post inquired how the Aquatics staff will stay employed. • Committee Member Kathy Ryan expressed concern that lifeguards are wearing high top tennis shoes. • Committee Member Amy Phillips inquired if the concrete patio is the existing concrete in the renderings. • Committee Member Kathy Ryan inquired if the waterslide is outdoors and how does it stay warm. • Committee Chair Nancy Tashman shared that the new office area looks nice so far. Recreation Director Michael explained what roles the lifeguards will work in during the closure and shared that a staff survey was conducted to see if they are interested in working in other positions. The Recreation Services division is in a hiring freeze so that alternative forms of employment can be offered to current Aquatics staff first. The neighboring pools should not be short-staffed for lifeguards or swim instructors either. Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael explained that the lifeguards must perform rescues with their shoes on and periodically need to demonstrate their skills in anything they wear while on surveillance duty. There is also a concern that the pool deck concrete is incredibly slippery, hence one of the reasons for pool deck replacement. Recreation Director Michael Labagh shared that these are conceptual drawings but confirmed that the waterslide could go out of the building. Slide manufacturers make insulated slide flume pieces to withstand the elements. A smaller pool patio will be maintained but most of it will be repurposed for the new hot tub location. Recreation Director Michael Labagh shared that he’s excited to have an office in the Recreation Center again and encouraged HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM Page 5 of 5 Committee members to stop by and see it. Recreation Director Michael Labagh thanked everyone for their feedback. 6. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS No other business or committee member comments were received. 7. ADJOURNMENT Committee Chair Nancy Tashman asked if there was a motion to adjourn the meeting. Committee Member Amy Phillips motioned to adjourn the meeting and Committee Member Pat Nolan seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. on January 20, 2026. Respectfully submitted by Kacy Carmichael Aquatics Superintendent