Agenda - 05-05-1997 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

12 At the present time, the main obstacles to the fullest expression of this project are the poor sound system and acoustics in the rink. Nonetheless, we have a number of ideas for bringing this project to fruition this spring, and we have begun experimentation in this direction. We welcome any input of advice, expertise, or community energy. Swim lessons for minority youth In the SportsPlex program of swimming lessons for the fourth grade classes of the local schools this year, a striking observation was that the white children mostly (about 75%)knew how to swim while the minority children mostly did not(about 75%). Further, we learned that a disproportionately large percentage of drownings in this state occur among the minority population(SCEs Studies, number 42; a 1986 Special Report of the NC Department of Human Resources which is believed to be relevant to 1997). This has led us to start a plan for swim lessons targeted mainly at minority children. We suspect that the best way to reach into the minority community is to coordinate the project through local minority churches. The initial phase is funded by$2,000 from various sources. For the subsequent phases, we will be seeking funding from area businesses through grant applications. We welcome any encouragement, assistance, or financing toward our development of this project. Summer camps Quality care for children during the summer months can be hard to find in all parts of Orange County. The SportsPlex helps to fill this gap by having its own summer camp program as well as serving as a resource for other area camps, aiding them to provide varied recreation and/or serving as the rainy-day backup (see Table 2). Since the facility and business plan were not originally conceived with summer camps in mind, some experimentation will be necessary before we have the perfect system. For this reason, this year, our second year of camp offerings, we are capping the number of children at a smaller number than before, and expect to provide excellent service with a summer camp program which is totally unique in this area. Swimming services for area summer camps In addition to our own summer camp, a new program for summer 1997 offers swimming services to area summer camps. As of this report, 10 camps have signed contracts. The total projected enrollment is 650 kids, for a total of 1160 kid-visits per week throughout the summer (some camps will be visiting more than once a week). Skating services for area summer camps In a program we hope to see expanded this summer or in coming summers, the Chapel Hill/Carrboro schools' summer camp has contracted for ice skating for its campers at intervals during the summer. Programs for seniors In the medical world, it is well known that the closest thing humanity has to an anti-aging medication is frequent, vigorous exercise. And the medical literature increasingly contains studies showing that seniors increase their abilities, quality of life, and enjoyment of life when they adopt regular exercise programs. We will accomplish a major service and increase profitability of the facility during the weekday hours if we can establish additional, successful programs for seniors (see Table 2 for existing programs such as water aerobics and Coffee Club). The predecessor of OCCAC was the Triangle Youth Hockey Association, which played in the decidedly youth-oriented Daniel Boone Ice Rink. Hence, from the beginning there has been a focus on youth in our activities. We now recognize that we need to develop a second strong focus, a focus on seniors, for which we are perhaps less well prepared. In our efforts to develop this focus, we welcome any encouragement, suggestions and assistance from the community. In particular, we would like to develop close associations with senior centers and county-wide programs for seniors. We intend to make this a very active area in the coming months. Report to the Orange County Commissioners 5 May, 1997 page 10