Pride of Pike a possibility

The Parks and Recreation Authority board members discussed moving forward with plans for a 2012 Pride of Pike celebration in July at their January meeting. Director Kevin Teate said pastor Billy Smith of Christ Chapel offered to help sponsor the event.’We can look at moving forward with running Pride of Pike from concession stand funds,’ he said. ‘March, April and May are our biggest months of concession operation and we brought in approximately $37,000 in concessions during these months last year and, in the same time period, only had approximately $20,000 in expenses. We’ll look at partnering with Christ Chapel and getting other sponsors to help with the costs.’He said the authority would have to work on getting the word out and getting sponsors starting no later than February. He said the event usually generates about $3,000 in profits. ’This is the biggest one day event in the county. We didn’t want to cancel it last year and we believe this is something we should be doing,’ Teate said. ‘Last time we hosted Pride of Pike, we did it with six full time employees, a couple part time workers and volunteers. We can do it ourselves, depending on what happens with the county, because it would be in the new fiscal year.’Although no action was taken and the authority will review more information about the event next month, member Mary Cooper showed her support.’I think we should definitely move forward with Pride of Pike. I know Kevin will do a great job running it,’ she said. Board members also discussed which vendor to provide athletic lawn care services for the facilities. Based on the lowest bid, they unanimously voted to contract with Ken-Lawn Turf Management Company, including guaranteed ant control treatments, for $300 less than former provider TruGreen. The authority also:’¢ Altered the furlough schedule to prevent furlough days on back-to-back paychecks. ’¢ Heard softball registration will run through Jan. 28, baseball registration has just started and soccer registration is ongoing online. Also heard Pike will host three softball tournaments this year, including USSSA tournaments in March and June and an ASA tournament in April. ’¢ Approved changes to the non-affiliated users agreement to ensure at least one employee is present and for concessions to be operated by PCPRA for such events. ’¢ Approved users agreements between PCPRA and the Pike County Baseball and Youth Soccer associations.’¢ Approved purchase of 450 feet of fence to replace existing wire at Hollis Field, including aluminum fence ties and delivery, for $1,957.50 to be paid for with concession funds. ’¢ Approved a scholarship policy regarding financial assistance requests to take part in PCPRA youth sports programs.