Pacific region - Regional Reports

Parks & Recreation, Nov, 2002

The Washington Ice Skating Association opened a new ice rink at the Lynnwood (Wash.) Ice Center in September. Actually, it's an old rink gone new. Upgrades to the old facility include a new high-performance TurboChiller refrigeration system complete with an advanced microprocessor control system, new sand base rink floor system, professional steel framed dasher board system and dehumidification system. The rink also converted from an ammonia system to an environmentally stable halocarbon refrigerant. The renovation also added a birthday room, an arcade, a DJ music booth for weekend youth events and special lighting.

In an effort to meet budget requirements, King County (Wash.) Parks and Recreation Department developed a blueprint for transforming the existing parks system into one that embraces a broad new, entrepreneurial approach to doing business. The plan outlines fundamental changes in policy and operations, including aggressive new ways to generate money through partnerships, fees, naming rights, advertising and concessions. King County Executive Ron Sims and the King County Parks and Recreation Division developed the plan based on the work of two citizen groups and an unprecedented outreach program involving thousands of citizens.

The plan calls for the ability to charge fees at parks and pools that more closely reflect the true cost of a service or activity and a shift of capital dollars to help enhance revenue generation. In response to recommendations from the Active Sports Youth Recreation Commission, the plan proposes association development and operations partnerships with youth sports groups to operate ball fields and other active recreation facilities for public benefit at little or no taxpayer expense. The plan also recommends that the county code be changed to allow the division to engage in the full range of activities described in the business plan

Earlier this year, Steve Rongyocsik retired after more than 11 years of service with Henderson, Nev. He began work at the city superintendent in 1991, and was appointed parks and recreation director in 1997. The department employs 187 full-time staff, and seasonally, more than 800 part-time employees. The parks and recreation team is responsible for maintaining 505 acres of parks and public grounds, five swimming pools, a ten-field sports complex and a senior citizen center, and programming and operating several recreational centers.

Rongyocsik led the department in achieving national accreditation as well as earning the National Gold Medal, the highest award within the field of parks and recreation. In the last five years, Henderson's parks and facilities inventory has increased by more than 400 acres as a result of a $87.5 million resident-approved tax initiative an developer-built turnkey parks. Rongyocsik supervised the opening of a number of award-winning facilities, including the Whitney Ranch Recreation/Aquatic Complex, Hayley Hendricks and Mission Hills Parks.

Pacific Service Center Pamela Earle, CPRP Regional Director 350 S. 333rd Street, #103 Federal Way, WA 98003 Phone: 253-661-2265 Fax: 253-661-3929 nrpapac@aol.com