Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Facilities Master Plan June 2019 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Facilities Master Plan June 2019 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Board of Park Commissioners Brian Beattie, President Julie Jeske, Vice President Mark Zimmerman, Commissioner Wayne Munson, Commissioner Mike Gilbertson, Commissioner Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Staff Randy Bina, Executive Director Kevin Klipfel, Facilities and Programs Director Kathy Feist, Finance Director David Mayer, Operations Director Paula Redmann, Community Relations Manager Wendy Anderson Berg, Park Planner Consultant Team GreenPlay, LLC Übl Design RRC Associates For more information about this document, contact GreenPlay, LLC 1021 E. South Boulder Road, Suite N Louisville, Colorado 80027 Telephone: 303-439-8369 Email: [email protected] www.greenplayllc.com BISMARCK PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL WINNER TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary . 1 Methodology of this Planning Process. .2 Findings. .2 Recommendations. .3 I. Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Overview . 5 II. The Planning Context . 11 Purpose of this Plan. .11 Methodology of this Planning Process. 11 Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Demographic Profile . .13 III. Community Outreach and Public Input . 31 Information Gathering/Public Engagement. 31 Methodology. 43 IV. Community Needs Assessment Survey . 43 V. Program Identification and Site Analysis . 57 VFW Sports Center . .57 BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center . .58 Wachter Aquatic Complex. 59 Capital Racquet & Fitness Center. 59 VI . Findings and Visioning . 61 VII. Preliminary Cost Estimates . 65 VIII. Recommendations . 67 Recommendations. 67 Next Steps . 70 Proposed Scope of Work For Feasibility Study for Community Recreation Complex. .71 Appendix A: Community Needs Assessment Survey . 81 FACILITIES MASTER PLAN I Table of Figures Figure 1: Organizational Chart . .6 Figure 2: Bismarck Population Boundary Map . .13 Figure 3: Bismarck Population Annual Growth Rates (2018 – 2023). 14 Figure 4: Bismarck Population and Growth Rates. .14 Figure 5: Median Age of Bismarck Compared to State of North Dakota between 2010 and 2023. 15 Figure 6: 2018 Generational Breakdown in Bismarck. 16 Figure 7: 2018 Racial/Ethnic Diversity of Bismarck . .16 Figure 8: 2018 Estimated Median Income . 17 Figure 9: 2018 Median Net Worth. .17 Figure 10: 2018 North Dakota Health Ranking Overview. .19 Figure 11: Outdoor Recreation Behavior of Bismarck compared to the State of North Dakota. 21 Figure 12: Fitness and Wellness Participation of Bismarck compared to the State of North Dakota .22 Figure 13: Team Sport Household Participation in Bismarck compared to State of North Dakota. 22 Figure 14: Generational Breakdown in Bismarck . .23 Figure 15: Golf Participation, Year after Year (1986 – 2009) . 26 Figure 16: Google search trends of golf and related variations (2004 - 2018) . 26 Table of Tables Table 1: Gender Distribution Comparison. .15 Table 2: 2018 Bismarck Educational Attainment. 18 Table 3: Recreation Expenditures in 2018. .20 Table 4: Camping Expenditures in 2018. .21 Table 5: Participation Fees 2018. .21 Table 6: Cycling and Trail Recreation Participation by Activity (Ages 6+) . 29 II BISMARCK PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL WINNER PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN This Master Plan Study assesses conditions of recreation facilities EXECUTIVE within the District and includes recommendations on renovations, additions, and new construction that could fill the needs of SUMMARY residents. This study focused on multi-purpose community facilities, of which the BPRD operates four: the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center, the Capital Racquet & Fitness Center, the VFW Sports Center, and the Wachter Aquatic Complex. At these facilities, the BPRD offers an abundance of programs, classes, and services to residents throughout the Bismarck community. Popular programs include fitness classes, swim lessons, ice skating at VFW Sports Center, tennis, golf, and more. This plan included PROJECT VISION significant public engagement, which was used to determine potential gaps in recreation facilities within the District. The plan The Facilities Master Plan will assess resulted in an assessment with realistic and achievable goals and the condition of multi-purpose recommendations. facilities operated by Bismarck Parks To complete this project, GreenPlay, along with Übl Design and and Recreation District (BPRD): the RRC Associates, engaged the stakeholders and staff to confirm BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center, the programming, activity, and service needs, along with desired facility Capital Racquet & Fitness Center, the elements and facility improvements. The needs for additional new VFW Sports Center and the Wachter facilities, facility renovations, and facility additions were identified. Aquatic Complex. This plan will include A detailed assessment of the District’s current multi-purpose significant public engagement, which facilities: the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center, the Capital Racquet will be used to determine potential & Fitness Center, the VFW Sports Center, and the Wachter Aquatic gaps in recreation facilities within the Complex was conducted. A strategy for short and long term facility improvements, which will support current and future programs District to assist with future facilities and uses, was developed. Implementation steps to fulfill the needs planning and improvements. identified by the public and this plan were identified and prioritized. FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 1 METHODOLOGY OF THIS PLANNING PROCESS The project consisted of the following tasks: • Strategic Kick-Off Meeting • Review of information from previous plans and documents provided by the BPRD • Facility Assessments of the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center, Capital Racquet & Fitness Center, VFW Sports Center, and Wachter Aquatic Complex • Facilities tour of all facilities and parks • Stakeholder meetings, staff meetings, focus groups, community meetings, and project team meetings • Identification of desired recreational facility amenities • Board presentations open to the public • Draft report • Final report and presentation FINDINGS An analysis of input received in stakeholder meetings, staff interviews, facility and site tours, market analysis, as well as demographic and trends research, along with review of the documents provided by Bismarck staff identified the District residents’ desire for updated, renovated, or new multi-purpose facilities. The public participation process described above resulted in development of the following recurring themes: • Take care of/enhance what we have • Aquatics (indoor/outdoor) • Gymnasium/multipurpose building • Trails and connectivity • Indoor Artificial Turf Fields/Multi-Use Field • River access • Indoor Tennis and Pickleball • More Ice The following key issues and values were developed during the public participation process: • Accessibility • Affordability • Inclusivity • Workforce shortage • Build beyond capacity for growth and future • Look to build for tourism needs • Safety, cleanliness, and keeping facilities updated • Keeping up the trends and keeping people in Bismarck • Don’t lose sight of neighborhood parks, access to trails, social activities • We are changing culturally • Community has a positive outlook on BPRD and don’t be afraid to leverage that. Keep up the “yes we can” attitude • Sense of family at current facilities • The river is a key value • Family • Opportunities for older people and people with disabilities • Information/education on programming 2 BISMARCK PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL WINNER The following top facility related survey responses were received through the invitation and open link survey process: • Residents familiar with facilities offered by BPRD • Preferred communication methods – BPRD website and brochures • Among 4 main facilities – The BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center and VFW Sports Center are used the most • Indoor aquatic facilities are seen as highly important and serving the community well • Highest priority is to upgrade/improve existing facilities • Highest priority is to upgrade/improve the VFW Sports Center and the Capital Racquet & Fitness Center • Majority of community supports improving existing facilities and investing in a new indoor multi- use community recreation center • Walking/running track most desired amenities • Other top amenities aquatics area, fitness equipment, playground, and athletic court RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are explained in greater detail in the main section of the report. 1. Consider developing a new indoor community recreation complex. The complex could include: • Walking track • Athletic courts • Fitness equipment • Group exercise • Ice sheets • Indoor turf • Tennis courts • Playground FACILITIES MASTER PLAN 3 2. Consider making improvements and upgrades to the VFW Sports Center. This could include: • Rink 1 – Improved food service for golf course and arenas • Rink 1 – 2 Additional locker rooms • Rink 1 – Improvements to offices for arena operations • Rink 1 – Lower level renovation and locker rooms • Rink 2 – 4 New locker rooms • Rink 2 – Upgraded spectator seating • Rink 2 – Facility maintenance storage 3. Consider adding additional space at the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center to enhance programing. This could include: • Athletic court space • More fitness classrooms • Walking track • Aquatics 4. Consider making improvements and upgrades at the Wachter Aquatic Complex to enhance aquatics opportunities for the community This could include: • Improved user experiences • New water features and amenities