Recreation Director’s Report
August 13, 2012
The Recreation Department has been really busy this summer to say the least. One reason has to be the wonderful summer weather we’ve had all season long. Another reason is because of all the different programs that were offered. The new Pittsford Summer Music Series was a huge success which brought many new visitors in. On Friday, June 1 around 500 people came out to hear Steve Spensley and friends play their music and enjoy free ice cream. This show was sponsored by the Maclure Library and the Pittsford Recreation Department. Over 250 people were in attendance on Saturday, July 14 to enjoy “On the Rocks” sponsored by Omya. Their classic sound was fantastic. At the third and final performance of the season another 250 people came out to the Recreation Area on Sunday, August 12 to take-in the Aaron Audet Band. Ironically unknown to me ahead of time their lead singer Ally Flewelling, is a Pittsford resident, and a former lifeguard at the Recreation Area. It was great to see another former employee doing well in life. The Recreation Department would like to thank all the performers, sponsors, and most importantly our volunteers that helped make these wonderful, memorable community events for our residents to enjoy.
Another new program that kept us busy all summer was the three sports camps that we offered. Each camp Tennis, Soccer, and Basketball were ran independently of each other. The “Learn to Love Tennis” Camp was for beginner type players who wanted to learn more about how to play tennis such as rules, type of strokes, and learning how to score points was held on the tennis courts at the Recreation Area. Only 10 students were allowed to register in order to keep the instructor to pupil numbers high. This program was taught by Suzanne Wood along with a couple helpers. Mrs. Wood told me that “she was impressed with the skill level of some of the campers.” Next season there has been talk to offer a beginner class and also a more advanced class. The other nice thing was that after the camp was over two families who hadn’t played on our courts before contacted the Recreation Director for keys to the tennis court. This was second time in four years we were able to run this program.
The second of three summer sports camps was the “Pre-Season Soccer Camp” held on Memorial Field, a.k.a.-Lower Rec Field at the Pittsford Recreation Area for kids entering 4th-8th grade. Otter Valley Middle School Boys Head Coach ran the program, along with former OV players. There were over 50 kids from the R.N.E.S.U. and surrounding areas such as Chittenden and Proctor who wanted practice proper soccer techniques in a controlled atmosphere. This was the second time Mr. White & Recreation Department offered this program.
The third camp was a NEW offering for the Pittsford Recreation Department, our “Summer Basketball Camp”, which was held at Otter Valley gym had 24 kids from R.N.E.S.U. and surrounding areas such as Chittenden and Proctor as well. OV Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach Nathan Bellomo along with other area coaches and players ran the camp. Players worked on fundamentals while having fun. The camp taught respect, sportsmanship, responsibilities, and the value of hard work.
76 Season Passes for the Recreation Area have been sold for 2012 season. This compares to 88 in 2011, 81/2010, 79/2009, 66/2008, 71/2007, & 52/2006. 11 Tennis Passes have been sold for 2012. This compares with 27/2011, 21/2010, 21/2009, 24/2008, 20/2007, & 26/2006.
The Red Cross Swim Program is one of the Recreation Department’s cornerstone programs. Again this summer the Recreation Department offered three 2-week sessions of swimming lessons. In 2012 a total of 152 kids registered for lessons! In comparison we had 114 kids in 2011, 103 in 2010, 97 in 2009, 75 in 2008, 92 in 2007, and 102 in 2006. I would like to thank Kayla (Gallipo) Desabrais for her outstanding job performance as a swim instructor and as the Lifeguard Supervisor. Kayla was first hired in 2005 as a lifeguard, was a certified Red Cross Swim Lesson instructor a few years later, and since summer of 2008 has been the Swim Area Supervisor. The Recreation department receives many compliments for the work she does. The kids she teaches love her, the parents like her, and the other swim instructors and lifeguards look up to her. I wish her luck this fall as she will be working as a long term multiage 1st/2nd in West Rutland.
The Recreation Area is a place many school groups, day camps, and day cares come to visit and use all the amenities it has. For the third summer in a row the Recreation Department has worked closely with the Boys & Girls Club of Brandon. In 2010 the Boys & Girls Club only visited the Recreation Area for two weeks, however in 2011 & 2012 they were at the Recreation Area for six weeks. Each day they arrive around 12:30 pm and departed about 4:30 pm. Different from last year they asked to schedule two water themed weeks together. Kayla Desabrais and her staff did a super job instructing the B & G Club bigger numbers. The other 4 weeks were theme weeks for the B & G Club, they used the volleyball court, the tennis courts, basketball court, and other open green space they could find to play lacrosse, soccer and other outdoor games. Each day that weather permitted they swam for a prescheduled amount of time. B & G Club brought approximately +35 kids to the Recreation Area EACH DAY they were there. That means they brought in over 1050 visitors to the Recreation Area this summer. Having these large of numbers is wonderful for the Recreation Department. We are able keep the staff busy longer and filled in some of the slower times of the season.
The Recreation Department continues to work with closely with the “Pittsford Seniors”. On the 4th Thursday of each month the “Pittsford Seniors” host a luncheon at the VT Police Academy cafeteria. The Recreation Department helps by advertising these events. Another way the Recreation Department assists is by taking reservations because seniors need to call ahead so the proper amount of food can be prepared ahead of time. The seniors just celebrated their 5th anniversary of their program and it was their busiest yet. See attached chart for details.
The Recreation Area now has 18 holes of disc golf. Thanks to the efforts of Terry Poor and Tony Freson. The Recreation Area is seeing an entire “new” group of clientele that the Recreation Department was not reaching before. On a summer day many people can be observed carrying their “disc bag” full of discs to the first tee. Please be sure to thank these guys when you see them.