Summary

Leak Issues and Inspection:

• Discussion of Pool Leaks: The board discussed ongoing leak issues at the Oak Ridge Swimming Pool.
• Suggested Inspection: Chris Melhorn suggested using a camera to inspect the drain pipes under the pool to identify any potential failures causing the leaks.
• Scheduled Inspection: Staff are tasked with scheduling this inspection work.

Geotechnical Testing:

• Initial Testing Results: Jon Hetrick provided an overview of geotechnical testing results. The limited scope of the initial testing indicated the presence of soft areas under the pool, which might be pathways for the water loss.
• Recommendation for Further Testing: The report recommended additional testing, specifically boring in certain areas, to gain more detailed subsurface information.
• Next Steps: Jon Hetrick is planning a meeting with Public Works engineers to discuss the report in detail and determine the necessity of further testing.

Funding and Project Planning:

• Proposal for Funding: Jake Greear suggested that the board should recommend funding a contract with an aquatics design and engineering firm for the pool rebuild project.
• Motion Passed: Kelly Mccampbell made a motion to include funding for an aquatic facility consultant in the FY2023 Capital Improvements Program. Melissa McMahan seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Conclusion: The board is actively addressing the outdoor pool’s leak issues through inspections and further testing, while also planning for a comprehensive rebuild project by securing funding for expert consultancy in the upcoming fiscal year

Jake Greear emphasized the importance of securing expert guidance for the pool rebuild project, suggesting that the board focus on “funding a contract with an aquatics design & engineering firm for the rebuild project.” He noted that a more detailed recommendation about the design direction could be made after additional public input.

Full Text

Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting

November 11, 2021 Regular Meeting

The November 11, 2021 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board was convened at 7:08 pm in the Oak Ridge Recreation Center Social Room.

Roll Call
Present: Mark Cantrell, Jake Greear, Kelly Mccampbell, Melissa McMahan, Chris Melhorn, Dan Robbins
Absent: David Kitzmiller, Brad Spears, Michele Thornton

Approval of the October 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve: Dan Robbins; second: Mark Cantrell. The October 14, 2021 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Appearance and Citizen Comments
• None

Updates and Observations (Non Action Items):
• Dan noted that he has treated fewer fire ant mounds along Melton Lake Greenway this year – 73 so far.

Unfinished Business
• None

New Business
• None

Board Work Plan

Greenway System:
• Rails to Trails Project
o The Public Input Session was held on November 10th. Mark Cantrell noted that support was generally strong, but most of the concerns he heard were about the S. Illinois Ave crossing. Jon Hetrick noted that there were also concerns expressed by residents of the Hendrix Creek neighborhood, where the trail passes directly behind a number of homes. Staff will work with residents and project engineers to develop acceptable solutions to address those concerns.
• Greenway Master Plan Support
o No report.
• Roadside Safety Evaluations and Advocacy
o No report.

North Boundary Greenway:
• No report.

Rec & Parks CIP Review and Prioritization:
• Jon Hetrick requested that updated rankings from the Board be received in his office by early December in order to incorporate any CIP changes by December 17th.

Blueways Initiative
• Dan reported that a group of kayakers had recently conducted a shoreline cleanup at Melton Hill Reservoir, collecting about 500 pounds of trash.

Parks & Recreation Stewardship, Maintenance and Trail Development:
• No report.

Secondary Objectives:

• Community Events
o The Halloween Party on October 28th was a walk-through event around the Civic Center. It was very successful, with a large turnout and rainy weather clearing just as the party started.
o The Tree Lighting ceremony will take place December 2nd. The plan is to hold the event outdoors at the tree and the pavilion. Melissa McMahan has secured support for the event from Y12 Federal Credit Union.
o The Chamber of Commerce will hold a Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 11th. This will be a traditional parade, travelling down Lafayette Ave from the SAIC building, then turning west on Oak Ridge Turnpike to the high school. The Recreation & Parks Department will have a float in the parade.
• Development Opportunities for Disc Golf & Soccer on Tuskegee Dr.
o No report

Oak Ridge Swimming Pool:
• While discussing the leak issues at the pool, Chris Melhorn suggested using a camera to inspect the drain pipes under the pool to see if a failure there could be the cause. Staff will look into scheduling that work.
• Jon Hetrick provided a brief overview of the geotechnical testing that has been completed. Due to the limited scope of the testing, results are not conclusive, but they do seem to indicate soft areas under the pool where water lost from the pool may be travelling. The report recommends additional testing by performing boring in areas the initial testing has indicated would provide greater detail of the subsurface conditions. Jon is working to schedule a meeting with Public Works engineers to discuss the technical report in greater detail and to determine whether further testing is warranted.
• The Board then discussed making a recommendation to City Council and the City Manager regarding the pool. Jake Greear suggested that the Board focus on funding a contract with an aquatics design & engineering firm for the rebuild project. A more detailed recommendation about the direction the new design should take could be made at a later date after additional public input has been received. Kelly Mccampbell then made a motion: The Recreation & Parks Advisory Board recommends budgeting money in the FY2023 Capital Improvements Program for a contract with an aquatic facility consultant for the outdoor pool rebuild project. Melissa seconded the motion, which then passed unanimously.

Director’s Report:
• Matt Reedy, manager of the Recreation Center, has submitted his resignation, effective December 17th. He will be exploring new career options, but will remain in Oak Ridge and will remain engaged in the community. A search for a replacement will begin ASAP.
• The food & beverage concession at the golf course has been assumed by the owners of Crafters Brew, LLC after the departure of the Soulful Cup. The new restaurant will be tailored to cater to the golfing community while also working to attract additional business from the community.
• Earlier this week, a portion of a soffit on the Recreation Center fell off of the building, landing on a lower roof section. Initial inspection by an architect and structural engineer indicate the metal framework supporting the soffit has deteriorated. The section is adjacent to the indoor pool. A plan for additional testing will be developed to determine if the rest of the soffits on the building have similar issues. Once the extent of the problem is better understood a plan for remediation will be developed.

Future Agenda Items:
• None

The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 PM.