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<br />Wave Pool Preparation <br /> <br />The 2002 season is ahnost here and preparation is in full swing. <br />ThIs month we hired our 55 people to work at the facility and it was <br />nice to see that 37 of them were returriing from last year. Hiring is <br />always a time consuming process and Will now make it easier to get <br />other thing rolling. Ordering and getting supplies for the season is <br />the next step in the preparation. This includes deck chaUs, rental <br />tubes, staff clothing, concession equipment, and many other <br />supplies. We also began to contact vendors for concession products <br />and start planning the menu at the concession stand. It is a busy <br />time trying to prepare for our 60,000 or more visitors. <br /> <br /> <br />Ground preparation north of the existing fi1ctlity <br />includes clearing to make room for the.new features. <br /> <br />The wave pool expansion actually started this month with the <br />ground preparation north of the existing facility. ThIs area was. <br />cleared to make room for the new features. It will be rough graded <br />before the season to avoid any disturbances during the operation <br />this season. The existing fence will be moved in to allow the <br />grading to take place and will remain there until construclion starts <br />tentatively in late August. The plans for the buildings and pool are <br />being finalized and we will review them before the go out for bid in <br />the next month. <br /> <br />www.anokacountyparks.com <br />Statistics And On-Line Reservation System <br /> <br />The Parks and Recreation Department's internet presence at <br />www.anokacountyparks.com saw a large increase in public <br />use in April 2002. The host of the department's web pages <br />reported 8,438 visits through April 24th. This is a large <br />increas~ from the 4,915 visits tallied in March 2002. <br /> <br />High in visits were specific web pages on the topics of <br />bikinglhiking trails, camping, horse riding, and park facilities. <br />If the usual springlime trend cOntinues, and our weather <br />improves, the web pages on camping, .picnic pavilions, the <br />, Bunker Hills wave pool, and Ch~monix'golf course wiU be "the <br />most heavily used. The department is proud to provide this ' <br />continuously available inform~tion service to the public. . <br /> <br />In May, the department's administrative unit will meet with <br />vendors who provide software for on-line piaUc pavilion and <br />meeting room reservations. The ability for the public to <br />purchase vehicle entry permits, make camping reservations, <br />and sign-up for nature programs on-line is also of interest to <br />the department All potential department employees/users of <br />a new system are collaboratively providing input regarding a <br />new system's requirements. We are very excited to be <br />exploring this new avenue of 24/7 one-stop service to the <br />public. <br /> <br />Bunker Hills Stables Facility <br /> <br />Not long ago. the construction crews broke ground for <br />the beginning of the new Bunker HiII$ Stables - Arena <br />and Barn Facilities. Even though spring has just arrived. <br />the moderate weather through the winter has allowed for <br />an early construction start. Planning and concept design <br />for this project began a year ago with the planning team <br />touring various horse arena/barn facilities within the <br />seven-county metro area. Funding for the project was <br />appropriated from the Minnesota State Legislature in <br />2000 in conjunction with the construction of the Multi- <br />Purpose Building located at the Bunker Hills Campground. <br /> <br />The Arena and Barn Buildings were designed by Buetow <br />and Associates Architects with the bid awarded to <br />Rochon Corporation of Plymouth. The arena building,. <br />approximately 8.600 square feet. will be used for indoor <br />equestrian lessons and other in-door equestrian events. <br />Attached to the arena is the office. The office will house <br />staff for lessons and horseback riding events. Restrooms <br />and a classroom are a part of this facility. <br /> <br />The barn. approximately 6.000 square feet. is located <br />adjacent to the arena and will hold the horses for riding <br />functions. In addition. the barn will have a wash bay and <br />storage area for tack. Completion date for these facilities <br />is planned for July 1. <br /> <br /> <br />Construction is underway with ftaming of the new indoor arena. <br /> <br />These facilities are part of the overall improvements to the <br />equestrian operations. Together with the additional site <br />improvements. the stables facility will offer an up-to-date <br />. . riding facility for the public to enjoy. . <br /> <br />I <br />Page 3 <br />