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Start planning for summer rec activities
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To the Editor:
The Caledonia Park and Rec Committee has scheduled sign-ups for t-ball, pee wees, youth baseball and softball for Thursday, March 25 (6-8 p.m.) and Saturday, March 27 (9 a.m.-noon). As you plan for those summer activities, the group wants to let you know some of the things we have been discussing in our regular meetings.
Obviously, money is tight everywhere. Summer rec programs are not immune to budget reductions. In order to continue the programs we currently offer in Caledonia while at the same time reducing some costs, the committee encourages going to volunteer coaches for all levels.
The paid coaches we have had in the past did what was asked of them, but a paid position is just that – paid. Many parents have said in the past they could not run a practice during the day – if a practice was scheduled later in the day or early evening, could we get enough volunteers?
While practices have been run during the morning and early afternoon in the past, is it possible to run something a bit later so more parents could be involved? The committee wants your input.
The committee also supports the idea of only one practice per week. For example, a baseball team could practice on Monday and play games on Tuesday and Thursday. One extra day during the week would be eliminated, playing on 3 of seven days instead of the current four of seven days. For the lower levels (t-ball and pee wees) participants would play one day a week, but each group would be available on two days.
For example, t-ball players would play either Monday or Tuesday; pee wees would practice either Wednesday or Thursday, with the games still on Tuesday. Practice times may be extended to accommodate the reduction of one day. Again, just a possible example.
On a related note, the committee has been discussing the possibility of having the park and rec director be full-time, not just in the summer. More programs for youth and adults would be made available, which can result in extra generated income. More details of this will be made to the city council shortly.
Many communities are struggling with summer programs – funding, staffing, participants, and everything else. The park and rec committee is looking for any interested individuals to participate in their meetings. The next one is scheduled for March 9 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall (lower level). If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, have an interest in serving on the committee, or wish to volunteer in some way, please contact
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Tom Schultz
Ron DuCharme
Park & Rec Committee Members
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