Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday, March 2nd, 2020 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 10 of 20 <br /> <br />Roath asked if Mr. Burrell could comment on the rough patch in the rowing club’s history that was <br />mentioned and if it was financial. <br /> <br />Mr. Burrell said he had no comment about the rough patch and that it was pre-2013. He has been involved <br />with the second evolution of the club and it has nothing to do with the club now. It was a different culture <br />and a different time, and there were some bad things that happened, but the people part of this club had <br />nothing to do with it. <br /> <br />An unidentified audience member stated there has never been a rough patch with the Long Lake Rowing <br />Crew. That was the previous entity, and this club had to rebuild confidence in the community. <br /> <br />Roath asked for comments/concerns based on the information regarding the rowing club and potential <br />partnership. <br /> <br />Ruegemer said she does not have any problems with the rowing club, it sounds like a wonderful <br />organization, but that does not mean it is a good fit for Summit Beach. Her concern is this is a nature park <br />and a swimming beach and this would change the use of the park. She would not feel safe if her children <br />were swimming there and rowboats were coming and going. She noted Bruce Dayton was an <br />environmental advocate and feels it would be a disservice to him to cut down old-growth trees to put in a <br />boat storage facility. Part of the Park Commission’s job is to protect the environment in addition to <br />serving the public. She does not feel it is in the best interests of the park to cut down old-growth trees to <br />build a place to protect boats. She loves seeing the boats on the lake and wished the LLRC the best. <br /> <br />Roath asked Ruegemer if she had problems with public-private partnerships. <br /> <br />Ruegemer said she does not and a lot of times they work out great. It is a well-used park and this would <br />change that use. She does have a concern that the building would be 100% private and the City would not <br />have access to the building. <br /> <br />Roath noted he heard there would be access through community education for the general public. He also <br />recalled hearing earlier the deck would be open to the public and asked if that was still in the plans. <br /> <br />Mr. Burrell said right now the deck is not in the plan. When they reduced the square footage, they could <br />not get around potential liability and vandalism issues. <br /> <br />Carter said he has no concern about the club activity or public-private partnerships. He would love to see <br />their community and boat club come to the Commissioners with a presentation to say why they think it is <br />a good idea. He stated if he had to choose right now between the proposal and not doing it, he would <br />choose to not do it for a lot of reasons. <br /> <br />Klaahsen stated she has no concerns with the rowing club. She noted Mr. Burrell has listened to concerns <br />and questions from the Park Commission and the community outreach has been adequate. She has no <br />concerns club-wise and the approach to the proposal. <br /> <br />Roath asked for input on the design/location of the building. <br /> <br />Ruegemer said the building has a huge footprint and the park basically consists of wetlands, which the <br />City is already mowing, and old-growth woods. It would take down a big chunk of old-growth woods.