### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on November 13, 2024, to discuss board memberships, approve facility fee increases, and receive an update on the Civic Athletic Complex planning process. The board recommended substantial facility rental fee increases and heard about options for relocating Carl Cozier Elementary School to the Civic Athletic Complex. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRB):** Advisory body that provides guidance to city staff on parks, recreation facilities, and programming decisions. **Facility Use Fees:** Charges for renting city park facilities like pavilions, gazebos, and community buildings for private events or activities. **Civic Athletic Complex:** Large recreational facility on Lakeway Drive that includes Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, Civic Stadium, ice rink, and various sports fields. **Carl Cozier Elementary School:** Bellingham School District elementary school currently located on busy Lakeway Drive that the district wants to relocate. **Cost Recovery:** Method of setting fees to help offset the actual costs of operating facilities and programs rather than subsidizing them entirely with tax revenue. **Consortium:** Collaborative planning group bringing together school district, parks department, and community stakeholders to plan the Civic Athletic Complex future. **Enterprise Fund:** Self-sustaining budget account where revenues (like golf fees) directly fund operations without general city tax support. **Woodstock Farm:** Historic city-owned event venue that has been closed for renovations and will reopen with new rental fees. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Nicole Oliver | Parks and Recreation Director | | Maria | Parks staff member presenting fee increases | | Melissa | Parks staff member involved in consortium planning | | Brian | Board member up for reappointment | | Maggie Kriger | Board member whose term ends in January | | Jed Holmes | Board member | | Steve Walker | Board member | | Leslie "Fishy" Finch | Public commenter advocating for cyclocross events | ### Background Context The Parks Department faced budget pressures requiring both cost cuts and revenue increases. Facility rental fees hadn't increased since 2018, while operational costs continued to rise. The department lost Park Ambassador positions and other staff, making fee revenue more critical for maintaining services. Simultaneously, Bellingham School District needs to relocate Carl Cozier Elementary from its current location on busy Lakeway Drive. Rather than build a new school elsewhere, the district proposed locating it at the Civic Athletic Complex, creating an opportunity for the city to leverage this investment into broader facility improvements. ### What Happened — The Short Version The board unanimously approved significant facility fee increases, with some rentals rising 30-50% to better reflect actual operational costs. Director Oliver presented four conceptual options for reconfiguring the Civic Athletic Complex to accommodate the elementary school while enhancing recreational facilities. Public input continues through November 22, with the board expected to make a recommendation in December. The department also announced major land acquisitions expanding future trail and park opportunities. ### What to Watch Next - December board meeting will include the board's recommendation on Civic Athletic Complex reconfiguration - City Council consideration of approved fee increases, likely in December - Continued public input on Civic Athletic Complex options through November 22 survey - Opening of Van Wick Lodge for rentals beginning June 1, 2025 ---