Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held its first meeting of 2026 at the new Pacific Street Operations Center, marking a significant year for the department with multiple major initiatives underway. The meeting was dominated by extensive public testimony from ice sports enthusiasts requesting additional ice sheets at the Sportsplex, while staff presented draft chapters of the comprehensive PROS (Parks, Recreation & Open Space) Plan and provided updates on storm damage recovery efforts. Eight members of the figure skating and hockey communities testified about the critical need for more ice time, describing current capacity constraints that force families to travel to Canada or Everett for adequate training opportunities. The testimony painted a picture of a thriving but severely constrained ice sports community, with youth hockey turning away 50% of new players in 2024 and adult leagues capping participation due to insufficient ice availability. Staff presented detailed chapters from the PROS Plan focusing on recreation programming and operations, revealing significant demand pressures across multiple program areas. The recreation chapter showed substantial waitlists, particularly in aquatics (1,700 people waitlisted over three years) and camps (602 waitlisted), indicating system-wide capacity challenges beyond just ice sports. The board also received updates on December storm damage totaling approximately $30,000, with the most significant impact being a sinkhole at Little Squalicum Pier requiring immediate repair. Director Nicole Oliver announced the department's upcoming consolidation at the Pacific Street Operations Center and provided updates on major projects including the three-year, multi-million dollar Salish Landing cleanup and the introduction of mobile sauna services at Bloedel Donovan Park. The meeting concluded with board members sharing 2025 reflections, with Little Squalicum Pier's opening repeatedly cited as the year's highlight, and expressing hopes for 2026 including the Samish Crest trail development and continued progress on major capital projects.

**PROS Plan Chapters Review** - The board received and discussed draft chapters 5 (Recreation) and 6 (Operations) with feedback deadline of January 21st. No formal vote required - information and feedback gathering only. **December Meeting Minutes** - Approved with amendments correcting "nominate" to "elected" for officer elections and changing location reference from "Hoag's Creek" to "Hoag's Pond." Motion passed unanimously. **Storm Damage Assessment** - Board received information on $30,000 in storm damage from December's atmospheric river and windstorm, with staff submitting FEMA reimbursement requests. No board action required. **Sauna Services Contract** - Staff reported selection of Hot Spot Sauna Club for mobile sauna services at Bloedel Donovan Park, with contract finalization and February launch expected. No board vote required as this falls under staff operational authority.

**Brian Armstrong, on volunteer program funding:** "Let's go ahead and use that $6 million that we have earmarked to try to expand the volunteer program and expand the capacity because as of right now, it's shrinking." **Peter Vieth, on hockey program decline:** "Last year in 2024, Bellingham Youth Hockey turned away 50% of new players. And you know, then also for adult, I can't get on a team anymore. Unless you know somebody on a team who's going to get you in, you're kind of just screwed, really." **Heidi Buck, 14-year-old figure skater:** "Investing in ice is investing in your community's future. I hope you'll help make sure this rink continues to be a place where kids can dream big and work hard to reach our dreams." **Nicole Oliver, on system growth challenges:** "We've done a really good job of acquiring and developing, but we haven't done a good job of staffing along with that development and paying for it. And so it's, it's, we've really neglected that piece of it." **Peter Gill, on PROS Plan evolution:** "We were guided for so long by where was the missing pieces, that was kind of our main mindset. And we filled a lot of those gaps down. So now it's like, much more about how do we prioritize taking care of what we have?" **Council Member Skip Williams, on forward-thinking approach:** "The forward thinking that not only this committee does, but the whole department... tells me that the work that this group and the department is doing is looking forward, figuring out ways to do things, to get things done for the public."

# Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board — A Year of Ambitious Planning and Community Need In the heart of winter, on a cold January morning at the Pacific Street Operations Center, the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board convened for their first meeting of 2026. What unfolded over nearly two hours was a window into both the department's remarkable achievements in 2025 and the persistent pressures facing Bellingham's park system — from ice-starved hockey players to overwhelmed maintenance crews. ## Meeting Overview The January 14 meeting, chaired by Scott Pratschner, drew an unusually large crowd of public commenters, most advocating for expanded ice facilities at the Bellingham Sportsplex. Nine board members attended, along with a robust Parks Department staff presence led by Director Nicole Oliver. The session marked a transition point: the first meeting at the department's new consolidated headquarters, and a moment to reflect on 2025's wins while confronting 2026's challenges. The centerpiece of the meeting was a detailed presentation on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan — a comprehensive rewrite that represents the most significant overhaul of Bellingham's park planning approach in decades. But the morning's energy was driven by public testimony that revealed the intensity of demand for recreational facilities that the city doesn't directly control. ## The Ice Imperative — Community Voices Ring Out The public comment period became an extended plea for more ice facilities, with representatives from the figure skating and hockey communities painting a picture of a city losing its young athletes to other jurisdictions. Karina Cheever from Cascade Cross opened with good news, reporting on their successful 2025 season that culminated with 203 racers at Cornwall Park. "We appreciate using the parks and we didn't have any negative interactions at Cornwall or Memorial this year, or Squalicum," Cheever said, highlighting how bike-accessible venues draw the best turnout. But the tone shifted as ice sports advocates took the microphone. Julia Brim from the Bellingham Figure Skating Club made a direct request: "I just wanted to thank you guys for all your work that you do and then request that you consider putting in an extra sheet of ice at the Sportsplex as part of your civic field development plan." Georgia Eford followed, explaining the exodus of local talent: "More often than not our skaters and our hockey players are leaving Bellingham to play for Canada or to play for Everett because there are more ice opportunities there." The most compelling testimony came from 14-year-old competitive figure skater Heidi Buck, whose statement was read aloud: "The Sportsplex is more than just ice to me. It's where I've learned discipline, perseverance, and confidence. It's where I show up before school, even when it's still dark outside, and it would be easier to just stay snuggled up in my bed." Buck described how more ice would mean "less crowded schedules, more training opportunities, and a chance for our town to support healthy, active kids." The hockey community echoed these themes. Dana, a father and adult league player, reported: "In the adult league this year, we actually had to turn skaters away because there wasn't enough ice time. We actually had to cap the limit of the number of teams in some of the different divisions." Peter Vieth, coaching youth hockey since 2019, delivered perhaps the most sobering assessment: "Last year in 2024, Bellingham Youth Hockey turned away 50% of new players." He described a system in decline: "When you compare us to Everett, and you compare us to Canada... by the comparator cities that we have in the comparisons for the master plan, they don't really, other than ever, I don't think they really compare in that we have two giant metro areas around us and so people can leave. And so they do." Vieth's comments revealed the equity dimension of the crisis: "It's also grossly inequitable 'cause who are the people who can go and pay extra, for example, in Canada or in Everett and spend the time to do that? It's everybody with all the resources. And so if you're somebody without resources, your kid has to give up." Parks Director Melissa Bianconi addressed the ice issue directly, explaining the city's evolving relationship with Whatcom Sports and Recreation (WSR), the longtime operator of the Sportsplex. Over recent years, the city has invested $3.5 million in building improvements while WSR handles interior operations. "We are actively much more invested in the facility," Bianconi said, noting that space has been reserved north of the Sportsplex for potential expansion. But Bianconi made clear the city's position: "At this point, the city is not committing to being the responsible party for expanding ice, but we are saying we want to work with our user groups. We want to work with our partners, such as WSR, whoever would be operating the Sportsplex, to ensure that there is that opportunity for recreational expansion." ## The PROS Plan — Reimagining Park Planning The meeting's substantial middle section focused on Peter Gill's presentation of the draft recreation and operations chapters of the new PROS Plan. This isn't just an update of existing documents — it's a fundamental reconceptualization of how Bellingham approaches park planning. "This is a complete rewrite. It's a complete reorganization. It's a completely new way of really approaching how we plan for our park system," Director Oliver explained. The recreation chapter revealed telling data about program demand. Aquatics programs waitlisted 1,700 people over three years — nearly 30% of total participants. Summer camps waitlisted 602 people, indicating massive unmet demand for children's programming. Holly Miller, a board member, noted an important gap: "That really reflects the Bellingham events, but like what we've just pointed out with the figure skating and soccer, there's, you know, is there any way to put a note that this is only Bellingham based and other programs have wait lists and turn aways as well." The operations chapter provided unprecedented transparency about park maintenance costs and staffing needs. Gill presented detailed analysis showing that community parks require 2.2 full-time employees each, neighborhood parks need 0.4 FTE, and trails require 0.17 FTE per mile. "This is helpful in projecting forward," Gill explained. "So, when we, you know, propose to build Baker View Park, we also need to plan for an employee or a portion of employees to actually manage it long term." The data revealed Bellingham's unusual position among comparable cities. At 10.9 parks employees per 10,000 residents, Bellingham exceeds the typical range of 8.3 to 8.9 FTEs. Yet operations staff still struggle with expanding responsibilities. "We are better off than some other cities," Oliver acknowledged, "but I don't know any park department that's not struggling to take care of all their stuff. And I don't know any park department that couldn't use more help." The presentation included a fascinating analysis of maintenance hours versus park visitation, identifying ten parks where high maintenance costs don't correspond to high public use. This could guide future decisions about either reducing maintenance intensity or adding amenities to boost usage. Board member Austin Scheffer requested additional context: "I'd be curious to see how that correlates with current staffing levels, current actual hours of time that it takes for what our current asset situation is." The PROS Plan represents a strategic shift from gap-filling to optimization. "We were guided for so long by where was the missing pieces, that was kind of our main mindset," Oliver explained. "And we filled a lot of those gaps down. So now it's like, much more about how do we prioritize taking care of what we have?" ## Storm Damage and Resilience Operations Manager Steve Janiszewski provided a sobering update on December's atmospheric river and windstorm damage. While Bellingham fared better than upstream communities, significant damage occurred at Little Squalicum Pier, where erosion created what Oliver termed "a sinkhole" before correcting herself — "I got in trouble for using that word." The pier damage revealed both the challenges of coastal infrastructure and the complexities of regulatory compliance. Oliver explained: "We knew there was a void behind that wall, that wall, and we had a design to fill it with concrete. And we couldn't get the permits for it. Because they're like, you need to do your full... and then it's like this happened." Staff are now conducting emergency repairs while planning a more permanent solution. Total storm damage approached $30,000, not including pier repairs. The meeting also covered a derelict vessel that broke loose and beached near Taylor Dock. After the owner disappeared, the city entered the complex process of vessel removal through the Department of Natural Resources, ultimately costing $13,000 — far more than the vessel's value. ## Consolidation and Change The meeting marked the department's transition to consolidated operations at the Pacific Street Operations Center. "Most of the rec department... are all moving into this building to join operations," Oliver announced. The move, scheduled for February 9th, represents an opportunity to rethink departmental organization and support structures. Oliver described a recent management retreat focused on efficiency: "We had a retreat on Monday, the management team for four hours and really thought, trying to think outside the box about ways we can be more efficient and effective and... get rid of that platter." The "platter" reference drew laughter, referring to board member John Slefinger's earlier comment about the department's habit of giving staff "a platter" when their "plate gets full." ## Major Projects Moving Forward Oliver provided updates on two transformational projects. Salish Landing cleanup has begun with a notice to proceed, marking the start of "the most expensive project the city of Bellingham has ever done." The three-year, multi-million dollar effort will clean up the most contaminated site on Bellingham Bay while creating infrastructure for a future waterfront park. "I think that the fact that we are in this project, finally, after so long, getting rid of one of the most... it is the most contaminated site on Bellingham Bay," Oliver said. "And it is... is going to stop going into the water." Sunset Pond's reconstruction continues despite weather delays. Originally planned for completion by year-end, the project faces challenges that Oliver described as making it "the most complicated and difficult project we've ever built." ## The Sauna Arrives In a lighter note, Melissa Bianconi announced the selection of Hot Spot Sauna Club to provide mobile sauna services at Bloedel Donovan Park. After receiving eight qualified proposals, the committee chose the local provider that operates at Stones Throw and Fire and Story events. "The hope is that they will be there and operating by February, if not sooner," Bianconi said. "It is primarily an evening service... it's another great activity that is activating that park in the winter." The service will include cold plunging in the lake and promises to be both ADA accessible and revenue-generating for the department. ## Board Reflections — A Year of Milestones The meeting concluded with board members sharing 2025 reflections and 2026 hopes. The Little Squalicum Pier dominated positive memories, with multiple members citing its ribbon-cutting ceremony and community impact. Chair Pratschner called it "definitely the ribbon cutting ceremony at Little Squalicum Pier. My in-laws happened to be in town too and it's just a great way to like show off our community and it just felt like kind of this historic occasion." Board member Jed Holmes appreciated "the enthusiasm for process... the slow churn of democracy" while praising the pier's role in connecting greenway networks for bicycle access across the city. Steve Walker highlighted the 100 Acre Wood development, noting how comprehensive planning succeeded where earlier volunteer efforts had failed: "The parks, with the funding and the staff and everything, now it was accomplished on a scale where it's going to hold." Board member Austin Scheffer looked forward to nearby Storybrook Park's completion: "I've got a four-year-old... about to have a zero-year-old... we're going to be making a lot of use of that park." John Slefinger, the longest-serving member at four years, reflected on the department's forward-thinking approach: "I think about the most is the forward thinking that not only this committee does, but the whole department. I mean, here we are talking about the next steps." Director Oliver echoed this sentiment while looking ahead: "The thing that I'm looking forward to the most absolutely is the community rec center that we finally in I've lived here for 34 years... I've never seen the momentum that we have behind an indoor recreation center as we have right now." ## A Changing Landscape The meeting revealed a parks department in transition — from reactive gap-filling to strategic optimization, from scattered facilities to consolidated operations, from informal partnerships to structured agreements. The new PROS Plan promises data-driven decision-making and realistic resource planning. Yet fundamental challenges remain. The ice sports testimony illustrated how Bellingham's growth creates demands the current system can't meet. The operations data showed a department already stretched thin by rapid expansion. The storm damage demonstrated infrastructure vulnerability in an era of climate change. As the board adjourned at 9:21 AM, they left behind a complex picture: remarkable 2025 achievements shadowed by mounting pressures, innovative planning tools tempered by resource constraints, and a community whose recreational appetite continues to outgrow the city's capacity to satisfy it. The department's move to consolidated headquarters symbolizes this moment — bringing together diverse functions under one roof while preparing for challenges that will require every bit of coordination and strategic thinking the new structure can provide.

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** BEL-PRB-2026-01-14 ### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on January 14, 2026, to review draft chapters of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan and hear updates on storm damage from December's atmospheric river event. The meeting featured extensive public comment from ice sports advocates requesting additional ice sheets at the Sportsplex. ### Key Terms and Concepts **PROS Plan:** Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan - a comprehensive 20-year planning document that guides the city's parks and recreation services, facility development, and resource allocation. **WSR (Whatcom Sports and Recreation):** The nonprofit organization that operates the Bellingham Sportsplex under a lease agreement with the city. WSR manages ice scheduling, maintenance, and programming for hockey and figure skating. **Cost Recovery Program:** A strategy where recreation programs are priced differently based on their public benefit - general community programs are subsidized while specialized classes aim to recover their full costs. **Stewardship Program:** A volunteer program where community members adopt specific parks for regular maintenance and beautification work. Currently facing capacity constraints due to staff reductions. **Atmospheric River:** A weather phenomenon that brings intense rainfall and flooding, which caused significant damage to local parks in mid-December 2025. **Civic Field Master Plan:** A comprehensive planning process for redeveloping the Civic Athletic Complex and surrounding area, which includes space reserved for potential ice expansion. **Special Use Sites:** Parks with unique characteristics or purposes that don't fit standard park classifications, such as Lee Memorial Park downtown. **FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):** A measurement used to calculate staffing needs - the plan estimates 2.2 FTE needed per community park and 0.4 FTE per neighborhood park. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Scott Pratschner | PRAB Chair | | Nicole Oliver | Parks and Recreation Director | | Peter Gill | Parks Planning Manager | | Melissa Bianconi | Parks Operations Manager | | Steve Janiszewski | Parks Operations Staff | | Corina Cheever | Cascade Cross Board Member | | Julia Brim | Bellingham Figure Skating Club | | Georgia Eiford | Parent of figure skater and hockey player | | Heidi Buck | 14-year-old competitive figure skater | | Tammy Dixon | Bellingham Figure Skating Club | | Dana Buck | Adult hockey league participant | | Peter Vieth | Youth hockey coach | | Brian Armstrong | Park steward and volunteer program advocate | | Annette Bagley | Bellingham Public Library representative | ### Background Context Bellingham is in the midst of updating its Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan - a comprehensive document that hasn't seen a complete rewrite in years. This plan will guide the next 20 years of parks development and operations in the city. The planning process comes at a time when the city is grappling with increased demand for services, budget constraints, and the need to maintain an expanding park system. The meeting highlighted a significant issue: demand for ice sports far exceeds current capacity at the Sportsplex. Multiple speakers described losing players to other communities with better facilities, long waitlists, and families having to choose homeschooling to get more ice time. This reflects broader challenges facing growing communities - how to balance expanding amenities with fiscal responsibility. The December 2025 storm damage discussion illustrates the ongoing challenge of climate resilience. While Bellingham fared better than surrounding areas, the city still faces regular maintenance and emergency repair costs that strain budgets and resources. ### What Happened — The Short Version The board received presentations on two draft chapters of the new PROS Plan covering recreation programs and park operations. The recreation chapter showed significant waitlists for popular programs like swimming lessons and camps. The operations chapter revealed that Bellingham has higher staffing levels than comparable cities but still struggles to maintain its extensive park system. Public comment was dominated by ice sports advocates. Eight speakers requested additional ice sheets at the Sportsplex, describing how current capacity forces families to travel to Canada or other cities for adequate ice time. Staff explained that the city owns the Sportsplex but WSR operates it, and any expansion would require partnership. Staff reported on December storm damage, including a sinkhole at Squalicum Creek pier that will cost about $15,000 to repair temporarily. The city is applying for FEMA reimbursement for storm-related damages. Board members shared reflections on 2025 highlights, with many citing the opening of Little Squalicum Creek pier as a signature accomplishment. Looking ahead to 2026, members expressed hopes for progress on major projects like Salish Landing cleanup and the Storybrook Park opening. The director announced that most Parks and Recreation staff will move from City Hall to the Pacific Street Operations Center in February, consolidating operations in one location. ### What to Watch Next - Written feedback on PROS Plan chapters due January 21st to Peter Gill - Parks and trails chapters of the PROS Plan will be presented at the next meeting - Hot Spot Sauna Club contract finalization for mobile sauna services at Bloedel Donovan Park - Department relocation to Pacific Street Operations Center scheduled for week of February 9th ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** BEL-PRB-2026-01-14 **Q:** What is the PROS Plan and how long will it guide the city? **A:** Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan - a comprehensive planning document that will guide Bellingham's parks and recreation services for the next 20 years. **Q:** Which organization operates the Bellingham Sportsplex? **A:** WSR (Whatcom Sports and Recreation) operates the Sportsplex under a lease agreement, while the city owns the facility. **Q:** How many people were on the waitlist for aquatics programs over three years? **A:** 1,700 people were waitlisted and didn't get into aquatics programs over the three-year period studied. **Q:** What is the estimated staffing need for a community park? **A:** 2.2 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) employees are needed to maintain each community park. **Q:** How many racers participated in Cascade Cross's Cornwall Park season finale? **A:** 203 racers participated, making it their biggest event ever with over 10 strider bikes for kids. **Q:** What caused the sinkhole at Squalicum Creek pier? **A:** King tides eroded the base of the abutment, creating a void behind the wood wall that caused the pier to sink. **Q:** How much will it cost to temporarily repair the Squalicum Creek pier? **A:** About $15,000 in labor and materials, with work taking approximately two weeks. **Q:** What percentage of survey respondents travel outside Bellingham for recreation facilities? **A:** 67% of respondents report traveling outside Bellingham to access recreation facilities. **Q:** How much has the city invested in Sportsplex building improvements recently? **A:** About $3.5 million in the past few years for a new roof, HVAC updates, and electrical infrastructure. **Q:** What is the most expensive project the city has ever undertaken? **A:** The Salish Landing cleanup project, which will take three years to complete. **Q:** When is landscape architect Jonathan Schilk retiring? **A:** February 5th, 2026, after 27 years with the city. **Q:** Where will Parks and Recreation staff relocate in February? **A:** To the Pacific Street Operations Center, consolidating most departments in one location. **Q:** What service will Hot Spot Sauna Club provide at Bloedel Donovan Park? **A:** Mobile sauna services with cold plunging, primarily operating in the evenings to activate the park during winter. **Q:** How many operations staff does the Parks Department currently have? **A:** Roughly 70 FTE across all operations groups, almost double what they had in 2017. **Q:** What was the total estimated cost of December storm damage? **A:** About $30,000 including debris cleanup, repairs, and derelict vessel removal (not including pier repairs). **Q:** What happens to people who want to join the Park Steward Program? **A:** They cannot currently apply due to reduced staff capacity, despite high demand for the volunteer program. **Q:** How many teams did Bellingham Youth Hockey have to turn away in 2024? **A:** 50% of new players were turned away due to insufficient ice time. **Q:** What makes Hot Spot Sauna Club's future unit special? **A:** It will be the first and only mobile sauna business with a fully ADA-accessible unit in Washington State. **Q:** What are the two main facility types people travel outside Bellingham to access? **A:** Ice-based recreation facilities and aquatics facilities. **Q:** When is the new PROS Plan due date? **A:** April 2026, after receiving an extension from the original February deadline. ---