Already thinking about summer

Freezing rain and snow have been falling intermittently for the last few days.

The park board is looking ahead to warmer weather.

Portland Park Board spent the bulk of its meeting Tuesday discussing issues related to Portland Water Park.

Brian Ison, president of the park board, provided information that showed the water park had about $150,000 in expenses in 2023 and brought in almost $124,000 in admission and concessions. He noted a goal of trying to even out those numbers as much as possible moving forward.

Last year marked the first full season for the facility since 2019. It opened late in 2020 because of coronavirus pandemic shutdowns, had limited hours because of staffing issues in 2021 and was closed in 2022 for repairs.

“We’re not going to be able to balance it out, but can we get close,” said Ison.

As part of that discussion, the board looked at 2023 admission prices and employee salaries.

Admission was $5 before 5 p.m. and $3 after 5 p.m. last year, with 10-day passes at $45 apiece and annual passes ranging from $75 for an individual to $200 for a family of six or more. (Special pricing was available for seniors, veterans and children 2 and younger. Pool rentals, which sold out fo the year, came at $75 per hour with a two-hour minimum plus the hourly rate for a minimum of four lifeguards.

Pay rates for pool employees were $18 per hour for the manager, $15 for the assistant manager, $14 for lifeguards and $13 for concession workers.

Board members were asked to consider those rates and whether they should be changed for 2024. Ison suggested looking at other facilities in the area for comparison.

The board also discussed the possibility of extending the water park season in order to allow it to be utilized more. The facility has opened on Memorial Day weekend and closed once Jay School Corporation begins classes in early August. Board members talked about the possibility of being open on weekends only through the rest of August.

Ison also reported to the board that Eliza Bader, who served as the facility’s manager in 2023, is interested in returning this year. Board members expressed their support for Bader continuing in the role. 

The board also reviewed its overall budget for 2024, which shows an increase of $56,700 (12.5%) over 2023 for a total of $509,000.

Board members John McFarland, Jennifer Weitzel and Ison, absent Shauna Runkle and Michael Brewster, also were made aware of recent vandalism at the Hudson Family Park amphitheater. Portland street and parks department superintendent Matt Shauver told them that red spray paint was utilized and that city crews have been unsuccessful in removing it.

He said local painter Bruce Smith will try to remove the graffiti but that otherwise some areas around amphitheater stage may need to be painted. (He added that Smith suggested using a graffiti prevention coating in the future.)

Shauver noted that cameras installed at the park were used to identify the vandals and that they will be prosecuted.

Also Monday, the board briefly discussed the possibility of creating a park on the city-owned property at the southwest corner of Main and Commerce streets where debris from the demolished Bailey Building is currently being removed. Ison noted that various organizations, including Portland Main Street Connect and Portland Redevelopment Commission, have considered options for the space. He asked park board members to think about whether it might make sense to create a downtown park.

In other business, the board:

•Approved a request from the Portland Rockets to have fireworks as part of May 18 opening day festivities for their 65th season.

•Re-elected Ison as president and McFarland as vice president. Also elected Jennifer Weitzel as secretary.

•Heard from Ison that he sent a request to Jay School Board for its appointment to the park board. Anyone interested in serving should contact Jay Schools superintendent Jeremy Gulley by Jan. 17.

•Tabled discussion of a request from Portland Junior League to split the cost of rehabilitation work for the east and west baseball/softball diamonds at Weiler-Wilson Park estimated at $28,000.

•Heard from Shauver that he plans to present quotes for mowers for the parks in February.