Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Membership at the North Manchester Community Pool is up this year, parks director Brian Wagner reported Wednesday to park board members.
"Month after month we've consistently been doing well on memberships," Wagner said. "We had a pretty good June."
Vice president Dennis Frieden said the grand total for the end of the year is up.
In other business, park board members:
• Heard a report from Frieden on the Manchester Recreation Association. Frieden said net income is down a little bit this year, but fund-raising money is not yet in.
"By year-end, we're not going to be as good as in the past," Frieden said.
• Heard a report from Wagner on the park's five-year plan. He said he tried to reach Deane Rundell, but he's been out of the office.
The town hired Deane Rundell of Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Muncie, to complete the town's 20-year plan. Wagner said at an early parks board meeting, Rundell, along with a class at Ball State University, will complete the plan. Wagner said the first draft is due Jan. 15.
"By the August meeting I should have some dates and figures so we can move forward," Wagner said.
• Heard a report from Wagner on North Manchester's FunFest, Aug. 9-12.
"Everything's looking really good for a successful festival this year," Wagner said.
He also said a new addition to the festival will be an auto tour. Wagner said the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles contacted the town about participation in a grand auto tour, traveling from Columbus to Warsaw. The new event will be Aug. 11 at noon between Market and Walnut streets. Wagner said 70 vehicles were in the tour last year.
• Approved the following new employees as lifeguards at the pool: Ross Haughn from Manchester College and Carissa Campbell, Ashley Staton and Linda Weller, all from Manchester High School.
• Approved the 2002 capital improvements list to be submitted to the town council. Projected capital projects for 2002 include the possible replacement of roofs for the pavilions in the park, valve replacements at the pool, painting the pool if the pool liner project doesn't happen, a new water fountain for the park, carpet replacement for the weight room at the pool and the purchase of an air compressor.
"This is the document that we submit to the town council," Wagner said of the capital improvements list. He specified that the list is "just a plan of how to use" capital project funds for 2002.
• Approved donating two six-month pool memberships to be auctioned off at the Rotary Club auction during FunFest.
• The next park board meeting is Aug. 29 at 5:45 p.m. in the Seward Memorial Building, North Manchester.
North Manchester Department of Park and Recreation Board members are: president Anne Myers, vice president Dennis Frieden, parks director Brian Wagner, assistant parks director Donna Boomershine, Larry Miller and Kay Batdorf. Brad Yoder is plan commission representative.
