Green light given to work toward putting a new ADA parking area by Japanese Garden

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

Multiple parts of the aging infrastructure of the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink need to be replaced or costly repairs and potentially a complete failure to open the rink for the next season can be expected, Ashland Parks & Recreation Manager Lonny Flora told Ashland Parks Commissioners at a special meeting Wednesday.

In 2013 a large canopy structure was purchased to protect the ice and skaters from weather fluctuations. The weather during the operating season of Thanksgiving to President’s Day grows more unpredictable every year. Keeping the ice protected means more days open and more revenue. A closure of a single day can cost as much as $3,000 to 4,000 in lost revenue, he said.

But, due to the Ashland Municipal Code, the structure has to be taken down and put back up every season — a “sizable budget commitment” of around $50,000. There is noted wear and tear in the fabric covering, but replacing it is estimated to cost around $63,000, Flora said. 

“It’s just not working anymore, it wasn’t designed to be a temporary structure that goes up and down every year,” he said. 

Interim Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Eldridge said in meetings with city staff — including members of the Community Development Department — there has been discussion of finding a way to create a permanent rink structure with the potential for year-round recreation such as roller skating. 

The trailer that shelters ice rink staff and equipment is also in need of repair, as are the aging supply of rental skates. As the skates get older, staff spend more time sharpening the blades and trying to prevent laces from breaking, Flora said. 

And the chiller for the rink is nearly as old as the rink itself: the circa 1996 machine is flagging. 

“This year we received word that it is at risk of complete failure,” he said. 

Portable toilets used on site have also been subject to vandalism, requiring additional expenses in repairs. The Zamboni used to maintain the ice is stored in the Lithia Park shop. Hot water is ideal for creating ice, Flora said. The only source of hot water is at the city building at 51 Winburn Way, requiring staff to drive the Zamboni up and down Winburn Way. 

Commissioners gave staff direction to develop plans and a budget for a revitalized ice rink. 

“I do think we should understand the immediate need to keep it functional next season. … At least understand the cost for that and see if we can move there,” said Commission Chair Jim Bachman. 

Commissioner Justin Adams said the Rotary Club put their name on the rink, and suggested it would be good to “talk to our friends at Rotary,” and see what kind of support could be available. 

Parking OK’d by volleyball courts

Plans to begin work on new parking in Lithia Park were unanimously approved by commissioners. 

Eldridge presented plans for parking compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) proposed for a space adjacent to the Japanese Gardens, across from the pickleball courts and next to the volleyball courts on Winburn Way. 

The space was chosen after docents of the Japanese Gardens, temporary employees, parks staff, volunteers and members of the Ashland Parks Foundation all noted high numbers of people with limited mobility seeking better access to the park, she said. Potential funding for the project has been identified in the Parks Capital Improvement Projects masterplan. 

Parks staff have already completed a traffic flow analysis for Winburn Way as part of the not-yet-approved Lithia Park Masterplan and, thanks to a comment made by Commissioner Stefani Seffinger in a discussion during the previous APRC meeting, a “loading zone,” had been added to the plans, Eldridge said. 

Commissioners briefly discussed the importance of expanding on sidewalks for pedestrian and multi-modal transportation safety on Winburn Way before unanimously approving the parking project. 

 “It’s not like it’s a luxury, this is something we really have to do,” Commissioner Jim Lewis said. 

Seffinger said she could remember over a decade of planning and conversation about making Winburn Way better for multi-modal transportation, particularly for those walking dogs.

“It’s dangerous, and it shouldn’t be,” she said. 

Other business

In other APRC business Wednesday, Eldridge detailed in her director’s report that session one lessons at Daniel Meyer Pool are now 90% full, she said. Some spots are left and those interested can register with the park’s new SmartRec system. Eldridge said she tested it personally as a parent and found it easier to use than the previous system. 

Ashland’s Finance Director Marianne Berry has pulled some strings to make temp employee Cheryl DeSaram available at the Ashland Senior Center for a time to help solve the ongoing problem of seniors struggling with online billpay for city utilities. DeSaram will be available  from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Senior Center. 

Parks in Ashland are also steadily moving to a new smart irrigation system using weather forecasting and other tools to better monitor and conserve water. In the previous phase Lithia Park and North Mountain Park were moved to the new system. In phase two this year, Garfield, Glenwood, Triangle, Railroad, Clay Street, and Calle Guanajuato parks will move to the new system, Eldridge said. 

Comments to APRC commissioners can be submitted through a contact form on the city of Ashland website. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.