North County Recreation District
20-Year Plan
Autumn 2011
Facilitation by David Westmark, Firm Foundations Business Advisors
I. Introduction
In fall of 2001, the North County Recreation District (NCRD) Board of Directors adopted a 20-year Master Plan. An ad hoc committee worked on the plan for nearly a year to help the Board focus on programs and priorities it felt were important to the community. It was recommended that the plan be reviewed every few years to adjust to trends in recreation and new community interests.
In fall of 2005, the Board took on a five-year review of the 20-year Master Plan and a year later approved a Capital Improvement Plan (known as the “PARC” plan) that more clearly delineated phases, successes and strategies for pursuing a new pool.
The current Board of Directors reviewed these documents and undertook a group facilitation led by David Westmark, Firm Foundations Business Advisors. This process was critical to understanding accomplishments made by the District since 2006 and to lay the groundwork for communicating those successes to the public as the Board discusses the possibility of presenting a renewal of the five-year operating levy passed in 2009 and feasibility of a new pool.
II. Visioning/20-year update special meeting attendance
A. Board of Directors:
1. Julie Chick
2. John Coppersmith
3. Kevin Greenwood
4. Steve Huber
5. Marie Ziemecki
B. Staff:
1. Peter Nunn, NCRD General Manager
3. Barbara McCann, Aquatics Manager
4. Sue Dinda-Gray, Aquatics Asst. Manager
5. Debbie Crosman, Fitness Manager
6. Jane Knapp, Senior Programming Manager
7. Steven Turnsen, Administrative Assistant
8. Dave Westmark, Firm Foundation Business Advisors (facilitator)
C. Public:
1. Dave Fisher, North Coast Citizen 6. Betsy McMahon
2. Jack Bloom 7. Linda Makohon
3. Geri Berg 8. Nan Nelson
4. Elenor Nida 9. Jean Hemingway
5. Lucy Brook
III. Mission Statement
The mission of the North County Recreation District is to promote the educational, recreational, social and physical well-being of the entire north county community by offering activities for all ages and abilities in an inviting environment.
IV. OBJECTIVES:
A. Remaining Objectives
Listed below are objectives remaining from the 20-year Plan that have not been accomplished. The 2011 board of directors verified their importance and recommended that they continue to be a part of the ongoing future plan and direction of the district. Through this process it became clear the importance for this board of directors to continue to make a new aquatics center a high priority. This process is highlighted in the following ‘Strategies’ section.
1. PROGRAMS
Performing Arts - Use auditorium
Youth
§ Expand K-12 enrichment
§ Outdoor learning programs with State Parks, etc.
Adults - Develop intergenerational programs (e.g. senior/youth mentoring)
2. FACILITIES
New aquatics center (with therapy pool subject to financial viability).
Refurbish auditorium, add restrooms, to allow more and larger meetings and conferences.
Add space for rehearsal, storage, overflow, and dressing
Maintenance workshop
3. PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships continue to be a top priority and critical for NCRD’s sustainability. It is imperative to strengthen and grow old partnerships of the District and to broaden the scope of potential new partners. Suggested new partners is highlighted in the following ‘Strategies’ section.
4. FUNDING
Funding will naturally remain a top priority for the NCRD in order to sustain programs, and facilities maintenance and upkeep. In addition, funding for a new pool has become top priority as it will require all funding resource strategies to secure the capital needed.
5. PROPERTIES
The NCRD has acquired all properties listed in the 20-year plan, as well as the wayside ball field in Bayside Gardens.
B. Completed Objectives:
The following are objectives that were accomplished and/or ongoing since the 20-year Plan review in 2005.
1. PROGRAMS
Aquatics. Aquatics continues to thrive averaging over 500 patrons per month, opening 7 days a week, providing a strong learn to swim/water safety program, and a wide variety of additional programs that encompass but are not limited to: fitness, youth, seniors, education, therapy, recreation, sports, life saving, and general well being.
Fitness. The Fitness operation has expanded its space, increased equipment and hours of operations.
Youth. Youth has added a strong after school and sports program. In addition it has developed a successful summer program including art camp, Forest to the Sea environmental camp and other outings and opportunities for school-aged children.
Adults. The Adult department has witnessed exceptional growth and development. Activities include but are not limited to: Current Event groups, meetings, hikes/walks, Riverbend Player performances, field trips, and tours.
2. FACILITIES
Gymnasium. A full remodel, including a new floor, paint, lights and overall sensational upgrade was complete in Fall 2011.
Main building upgrades
Parking and traffic flow
Outdoor upgrades
C. Additional Objectives:
The following are objectives recommended by the 2011 board to be added to the 20-year Plan.
1. PROGRAMS
River Water Programming
§ Sailing
§ Kayaking
2. FACILITIES
Youth
§ Ball field upgrade
§ Teen Technical Center
§ Revamp the skate ramp - using the teens to engineer and design the ramp
Fitness Center Upgrade
§ Climbing Wall
§ Racquetball Courts
§ Indoor Tennis
§ Increase Facility Space
Softball and Soccer Complex
Hiking/Biking trail connecting three villages; partnership with existing area trails
V. Strategies
The 2011 Board of Directors discussed how to accomplish the unfinished objectives that are currently part of the 20-year Plan and the additional objectives stated above. Most of the strategies were focused on raising financial support. The following list is generated from the visioning workshop and has many worthwhile possibilities.
Using the Reserve Fund – there are funds that are available immediately for development of the pool.
Fund Raising
Grants and Matching Grants
Raising money through a Bond Election
Selling the branding and naming rights of NCRD
Building and strengthening partners from the community
§ Include the partners in the planning phases of objective projects
§ Suggested partners include Rinehart Clinic, TBCC, NKN School District, Cities, Coast Guard, Special Districts, ORPA, Movers and Shakers of the community, Second Home Owners
Annex Rockaway and Garibaldi
Contact Congressional Representatives and look for Federal Funds
Private Community Funders/ Private Foundations
Be Clear in Communications to Community on operating costs
Do not overlook the small contributors – there are many more of these
Update the facilities plan, including the fitness center, pool, etc.
Educating the public on what is currently happening at NCRD as well as the need for a new pool
Hire a Public Information Officer
Be clear about Election Rules
Get a pre-feasibility and feasibility study on the new aquatics pool
Plan for a new bond/capital levy and operating levy at the same time
VI. Timelines
The 2011 board of directors recommends that the following strategies be implemented as soon as possible and the timelines they’d like to see the objectives accomplished, subject to available funding.
2011 Step One: Focus on the new pool/aquatics center
Step Two: Put together the Pre-Feasibility Study
2012 Step Three: Submit a Feasibility Study for Bid
Step Four: To hire a Public Information Officer
Step Five: To develop a Strategic Fund Raising Plan
Step Six: To complete an overall Facilities Plan
The auditorium upgraded and usable
Put in place a climbing wall for the fitness center
Implement the Strategic Fund Raising strategies
2013 Current ball field to be upgraded (lights and repairs made)
The maintenance workshop and auditorium overflow completed
New Levy passed
2014 Re-engineered and designed Skate Ramp
2015 A new pool and aquatics center in use
2016 The River Water Program underway (sailing, kayaking)
Fitness Center Upgrade
2018 Teen Program with Technical Center
2020 Racquetball Courts
Indoor Tennis Courts
Pedestrian/Bicycle Trails Connecting No. County
2025 Softball and Soccer Complex
VII. Conclusion
The goals and objectives set in the preceding timeline have no specific measurements for determining success. The Board should continue to develop means for measuring success.
Fundraising for a new pool will be the largest objective to overcome. At the end of the current operating levy, NCRD will have over $1 million for the construction of a new pool. This is an amazing achievement for a district our size, but will be far short of breaking ground. The board should determine a plan for obtaining a fundraising/grant writing plan and may require additional assistance.
One way to begin this process is to inform the public about the current programs and success at NCRD. Though a public information campaign will be helpful, it is only one part of a positive outcome. Finding “movers-and-shakers” in the community willing to advocate on behalf of the district to assist in significant fundraising will be equally important.
This development of partnerships and relationships with people in the community should provide significant opportunities for success.
Finally, NCRD does not currently have an adopted Vision Statement. This may be something to consider in the future. The Board may also want to consider shortening the district’s Mission Statement into a catch phrase that can be used throughout NCRD’s marketing and branding.
The Board appreciates the assistance of staff and David Westmark’s facilitation of this process.
Adopted by the Board of Directors on December 8, 2011.
viii. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A. October 27, 2011 Minutes from the Visioning Workshop
North County Recreation District
Visioning Meeting -- October 27, 2011
Gallery Room
Minutes
1. New Pool Update and Comments
Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Board Chair Kevin Greenwood. Also present were General Manager Peter Nunn, Facilitator Dave Westmark, and Board members Marie Ziemecki, Julie Chick, and John Coopersmith. Greenwood gave the opening remarks and explained the agenda. Nunn gave a brief report on the Pool Conference in Seattle on the weekend of Oct. 14-16, emphasizing that there is a great difference between wants and needs. He explained the stages of the pool process, saying “We’re in the ‘dream’ stage; next is plans/feasibility and design development.”
2. The Visioning Process Explanation
Greenwood introduced CIP Committee members.
a. Ground Rules
Greenwood explained the ‘ground rules’ for the meeting.
b. What are your expectations for this meeting?
Facilitator Westmark asked Board members about their expectations and what they wanted to have accomplished by the end of the meeting. Board members made comments.
c. How are we going to start and end?
Westmark steered the Board through a brief discussion.
3. 20 Year Plan -- Where Are We?
Nunn gave a brief report on the 20-year plan. Westmark explained the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement, saying the latter is “who you want to be”. Nunn and Board members discussed what items in the 20-year plan have been accomplished and what have not, covering the Aquatics, Fitness, Youth, and Seniors
programs as well as Meetings and Performing and Visual Arts. Nunn then discussed the current NCRD Programs.
4. The Objectives
a. What do you want to accomplish?
Nunn went to a list of recommendation for the facilities and what has and has not been accomplished. He discussed the 5-year (2006) review of the Plan and showed the remaining recommendations. Coopersmith noted that a heavy list of upgrades/ maintenance had been accomplished in the past few years. Westmark asked if the entire list was still pertinent. Board members discussed this issue. Greenwood suggested increasing the relationship with the Hoffman Center.
b. What are your dreams about this facility?
Westmark asked about the Board’s ‘dreams’. Coopersmith felt that a large space for meetings and conferences was important as well as better use of the auditorium. A maintenance facility with a storage area was suggested. Other ideas included full time access to the gym, the ball field refurbished and used more, and teen activities and programs.
Other suggestions--including incorporating Rockaway into the District, TBCC expanding their programs to do more up here, becoming more visible and building more partnerships where ever possible, Westmark labeled as strategy rather than dreams. Board members discussed possible upgrades to the Fitness Center, a computer tech center for kids (or both kids and adults) and kid-oriented fitness programs, a ball field/soccer complex, and indoor tennis.
c. Find Board consensus on listed objectives
A new pool was unanimously chosen as the #1 objective. In voting for the top 5 objectives the Board came up with a list of 10 that they felt should be on the 20-year plan. After discussion, Westmark reduced the list to 7 by including several related items in one category.
At this point meeting participants took a break until 6:20 p.m.
5. The Strategies
a. How can we make these objectives happen?
Westmark discussed pool strategies and “how to”. Coopersmith cited the pool fund, estimated to reach one million in the 5 years of the option tax. Greenwood mentioned timber funds. Other suggestions included local fund raising, grants and matching grants, a bond, and partners. Westmark suggested that it would be a good idea to send some people for “how to successfully pass a bond” training. Others suggested federal funds, to tie in the auditorium with the pool for improving grant opportunities, private community funders, private
foundations and endowments.
A discussion followed on if and when a bond should be considered. Other suggestions included being clear on operating costs, annex Rockaway, search for small contributors. Westmark asked if the strategies would work for the overall facilities including the Fitness Center, etc., as well as the pool. Consensus was that they would work for most of the objectives. Coopersmith discussed a levy vs. a bond; saying an increased levy would mean more timber money, whereas with a bond there’d be no timber tax. He suggested thinking about both a capital levy and bond both in November 2013. CIP Committee appointee Jack Bloom commended NCRD for stretching their funds far more than anyone else.
6. Timelines and Measurements
a. When do we want the strategies to be implemented or accomplished?
Greenwood suggested time for a feasibility study. Westmark said to list the steps to get there for the pool. Board members agreed that #1 was a public information plan. After discussion, #2 was a pre-feasibility study; #3, a feasibility study; #4, money. Nunn suggested a joint meeting of the Board and the CIP Committee to discuss strategies and timelines. Coopersmith suggested bringing the PARC plan to the next meeting and going from there.
When timelines were discussed, the Board generally agreed on--Pool in 2015, Fitness Center in 2016, Teen Center in 2018. There was general agreement that the Auditorium could be upgraded in 2012. A discussion followed on the timeline for various projects.
7. Statements about what NCRD would like to be in the future (10 words or less)
Suggestions were as follows: Thriving; Wellness Center; Recreation Center; Well-funded; Community Ownership; Forward-Looking; Serving and Supporting All Age Groups; and Diverse Community.
8. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
***
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Edley, Board Clerk