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(Publisher’s Note: This is the final summary report from city department heads.) by Recreation Coordinator Caitlin Stern This past year the Recreation Department has had a focus on repair to facilities/properties. We are continuing to organize, assess, and analyze the Recreation Department with the goal of improving operations, offerings, and facilities.
Some of the highlights we take pride in are:
• Hosted the Circus Spectacular and have had them rebook for 2025.
• Facilitated the Babbitt Figure Skating show
• Facilitated 2 hockey tournaments organized by Babbitt Blueline
• Facilitated the Ely Howler Tournament
• Provided meals for BFSC skate with Santa
• Offered s’mores and a campfire for Santa’s Hayride
• Hosted a Valentine’s skating celebration.
• Hosted adult pickleball tournament for Peter Mitchell Celebration
• Hosted youth dodgeball and pool tournaments for Peter Mitchell Celebration.
• Reupholstered Fitness Center equipment and rearranged the Fitness Center.
• Refurbished outdoor rink nets
• Partnered with BEST baseball and advocated for our City’s Little LeagueteamwiththeNantiLeague. (Unfortunately, this year we did not have the numbers to have a team.)
• Facilitated another season of Pony League and hosted games with three cities attending.
• Partnered with the Lion’s Club to locate funding for our Central Park Project.
• Worked with Playground contractors to design a playground for the city.
• Assisted with storm clean-up on a couple occasions this Spring.
• Arranged repair for the fishing pier after it was damaged in a spring storm.
• Tended to, and corrected, numerous reports of vandalism.
• Completed various repairs to beach equipment.
• Trained and supervised our summer crew. Completed necessary tasks with staff change over and being shorthanded.
• Limbed trees throughout recreation and city properties.
• Had the support beams and entryways of the arena painted.
• Had the beach house roof shingled, as well as 7 small pavilions around town.
• Worked with b32 engineering group to begin the Arena Compressor Replacement Project.
• Worked with MN Power to identify potential updates to lights throughout the recreation facilities. Advocated for city action.
• Advocated for emergency lighting in the arena.
• Updates to arena interior. 1. Replaced the backdrop of the trophy case 2. Built a shelf for skates 3. Replaced composite on several of the dasher boards 4. Updated interior signage 5. Updated bathrooms soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers.
6. Paint touchups to boards and lines. Credit to summer crew!
• Learned operation of the Skid steer.
• Replaced outdated lawnmower
• Gathered items and had most sell in an auction organized by the Street Department.
• Opened table and chair rentals to the community.
• Advocated and worked with the City Clerk to attain funding for the playgrounds, skatepark, and city waste bins.
• Made multiple and various inquiries/ contacts while information gathering for improvement of facilities, current repairs, and updates.
• Maintained all recreation facilities/ properties.
• Worked to gain a relationship of respect and trust with superiors and the public, while navigating a politically charged environment.
The Recreation Department continues to work to be a valuable team member.
