March Madness at the Rec Department

By John Drake

March Madness in the Rec Department usually means the adult basketball tournament (March 1-2), the youth basketball tournament (March 3-8), the youth cheerleading competition (March 2), Cal Ripken baseball registration (March 15), Centre College, Boyle County High School & Middle School softball in Millennium Park (beginning March 24), and the Millennium Park Easter Egg Hunt (March 23).

Our friends at KSD have hosted the Rec League Youth Tournament for the 4th/5th, 6th/7th, 8th/9th, and High School Divisions for over ten seasons.  It’s a great facility that provides a tournament atmosphere for our young basketball players.  Four games will be played each night beginning at 5:00pm from Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 7 with the five final games played on Saturday, March 8 beginning at 12:00pm.  The 4th/5th grade league will have two divisions while all other leagues will play a 6-team single elimination tournament.

On Sunday afternoon prior to the start of the Youth Basketball Tournament, the cheerleaders will be in the spotlight as they have their annual season-ending competition.  Both the K/1st/2nd grade and the 3rd/4th/5th grade cheerleaders will be participating in a cheer and pom routine competition.  It is one of the most enjoyable afternoons of fun, cheers, and competition that are hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Danville-Boyle Racquetball Tourney a winter highlight

By John Drake

The temperature outside reached single digits over the weekend.  Normally, this would be a great time to add an extra log to the fire, wrap up with a lap blanket, and spend a marathon home movie weekend with the family.  But the “Bunny” Davis Fitness Center was abuzz on Saturday morning as the 8th Annual Danville-Boyle County Racquetball Tournament entered its second day of competition.

Although the Davis Recreation Complex has only two racquetball courts, the participation in this local event has continued to fill tournament brackets for the two-day event.  The tournament coordinator, Delbert Terry, has always been able to attract several players outside the local area to participate, raising the competitive level in the top divisions and providing an enjoyable tournament for all talent levels.

In the Men’s Open Division, the #1 player in the state, Dan Case of Nicholasville, defeated Marshall Norton of Lancaster.  The other winners in Divisions A-D were:  Eric Adams, Gene Skeeter, Frank Stewart, and Kyn Wilcher.  The Women’s Open/A Division was won by Rita Stewart.

This annual activity at the “Bunny” Davis Recreation Complex has continued to be one of the highlights of our winter season.  The wholesome competition provides a good weekend of warmth and fellowship for both participants and spectators.

One for two is not perfect, but not bad

By John Drake

Maybe Monday is not the best day of the week to write a blog.  Since over 50% of most youth league activities occur on Saturday, there are always a few concerns that are phoned or emailed to our attention on Monday.  Sometimes the mood takes on a “glass half empty” feel and not the positive, glowing report that Friday brings.  This Monday has had one good comment about our Basketball program and one concern.  So, as it is with baseball, if you can go 1 for 2 every game you will be a multi-million dollar player.

The phone rang just after 9am.  A parent was concerned about playing time, not getting information from the coach regarding games and practices, rules of the game, and a possible desire to switch teams.  Although I didn’t get a name, it was a very cordial call and hopefully the information that our front office provided was an assist to this mom.  This is a pretty normal call of concern and usually we can help.  Often, when the caller doesn’t receive the answer they were looking for, their next question is the obvious:  “Who is your boss?”

But then, the good news.  We received an email from a parent complimenting one of our 2nd/3rd grade league officials.  Not only is that a headline for any league, but for the 2nd/3rd grade league it is truly remarkable.  Normally this league is officiated by the youngest of our Parks and Recreation staff, because the more experienced officials won’t even substitute in this league.  However, this year we have a young adult (early 20s) that has stepped in on Thursdays to “give back” to a program he played in 15 years ago.  He followed the example of  another adult that was the officiating “cornerstone” for this league.  This official is a long time member of the “Guard” and is preparing to soon deploy to Iraq for his 2nd tour as I write this blog.  Last year he worked a few games for us in between his military calls.

So it has been very encouraging this Monday morning to know we have found new blood to work the 2nd/3rd grade games at Hogsett Elementary.  Maybe a few more good men and/or women will step up and provide the much needed leadership as a youth basketball official.  We can always use the Jeremy’s and the Kenny’s of the world to take positive leadership roles in the Parks and Recreation Department.

The true spirit of the season is giving

By John Drake

As Christmas nears we hit the stores, frantically searching for those perfect gifts. We plan on special visits with family and friends, and our taste buds anticipate all the goodies that come with the holiday. But amid the excitement we also center our thoughts on those who are less fortunate; those who must rely on the generosity of others to survive.

Just across the By-pass from the Bunny Davis Recreation Complex/Parks and Recreation Department, at the Danville-Boyle County Humane Society, there are many dogs and cats who are anxiously awaiting a permanent home. So this season the Parks and Recreation Department is working with the Humane Society to make a difference for our furry friends.

It’s not just by accident that Parks and Recreation staff and the Humane Society are connecting this Christmas season. Staff members of the Rec Department help with mowing, work in the Paws Memorial Cemetery, serve on the Humane Society Board, assist in transportation for rescued dogs, and, at times, aid with pick ups in Millennium Park to find homes for lost dogs. The Humane Society borders Millennium Park and would be a natural place to start a fostering dog walk program as soon as a gate could be authorized to connect the two properties.

The stocking ornaments that have been hung on our Christmas tree this year have the faces of our canine and feline friends living at the Humane Society along with ideas for things that are needed to make their lives a little better. Our members have been taking a stocking off the tree as they leave and returning the listed items. The needs of food, cleaning supplies, heat lamps, bulbs, kitty litter, paper towels, chew toys, collars and leashes have begun to pile up in our office. These holiday treats are not only be warmly received by our furry friends, but also by the staff members working daily to find permanent homes for these pets.

Honestly, the generosity that has been displayed to date has been overwhelming. At this time of year, the true spirit of the season is GIVING, and the gifts provided to our friends could not be more appreciated. The pictures on the stockings are of real pets that are waiting for adoption at the Humane Society. As our members take the stockings and return the gifts, there is always the hope that at least one of these pictures will touch an individual or family and a loving pet will find a permanent home for the holidays.

Just in time for Christmas….

By John Drake
Danville-Boyle County Parks & Recreation director

The City and County have for the last 10 years invested over six million dollars in the purchase of land and facility development in Millennium Park. Millennium Park has become the signature recreation facility in this community. Those that cried about taxpayer’s money being used for such a project have now seen the opportunities that Millennium Park provides for all demographics in Boyle County.

However, it now looks like the days of government funding for the continued development of the Park are quickly coming to an end. This fiscal year there were no new funds allocated for Millennium Park development from either governmental body. Yes, both are continuing to subsidize the operations of the Park, but the possibility of a master plan completion by the end of this decade is probably not a reality.

The Parks and Recreation Committee, the Parks and Recreation Board, and members of the Parks and Recreation Department are all looking for a few “Santas” in our community to assist in completing projects in the Park over the next 24 months.  This list isn’t long, but the benefits of each project will be a positive addition to Millennium Park and the citizens of Danville and Boyle County.

Millennium Park 2007 Christmas List:

• A hard surface basketball complex (a minimum of six goals and court size to host summer basketball tournaments and leagues).
• Completion of the Softball Complex lighting. Additional parking and pedestrian lighting is necessary to upgrade the facility used primarily for Girls Youth Fast-Pitch Softball.
• Additional landscaping to provide future generations the shade needed for all parks.
• Walking trail additions and renovations. This area is probably the most used facility in the Park for walkers, runners, bikers, blades, and boards.
• Large corporate shelter with access roads and parking near the facility at the north end of the Park.

So, for all you Santas (and maybe even a few helpers) this may be the project for you!  We believe this list is both realistic and do-able. Maybe with some community contributions we will be able to match private funds with grants and possible future local government assistance. We can get this Christmas list started in 2008, then next year we can talk water complexes and a multi-activity sports pavilion

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