Annual report of the Board of Park Commissioners (1999)

              McMillen Ice Arena Expansion
Planning and financing were completed for
the expansion of the McMillen Ice Arena this year
and an official groundbreaking celebration was
held in November. The project will add a second
full sheet of ice to the facility with permanent
seating for 1,000 spectators. Also included in the
project are new dressing rooms, new lobby area,
new concession area, meeting/training rooms,
pro-shop and restrooms.
After approval of a $4.5 million bond issue by
the Board of Park Commissioners, City Council
and the State Board of Tax Commissioners, plans
were finalized by the architectural firm of MSKTD
and construction bids were received. A contract
was awarded to Hamilton Hunter Builders and
work commenced in October with completion
scheduled for summer of 2000. This is the largest
single contract ever authorized by the Board of
Park Commissioners and represents a
commitment to ice sports as well as a significant
advancement in the provision of public recreation
facilities in Fort Wayne!
With the new addition and improvements, the
McMillen Ice Arena will be an even more valuable
community asset with extreme flexibility for
programming and events. The facility will not only
serve local needs and interests in hockey, figure
skating and recreational skating, but will also
provide opportunities for various special events,
tournaments and competitions. It has been very
exciting and gratifying to see patrons, staff,
political decision-makers, and the entire
community come together and demonstrate their
support for this important facility!
A CENTURY IN THE MAKING / 17
The Community Center
The long-discussed parking facility
expansion, completed this past year, was an
important milestone for the Community Center.
By expanding the lot from its original size of 24
spaces to accommodate more than 60 cars, the
Center will have addressed its primary drawback.
The provision of adequate parking should have a
significant, positive impact on participation and
attendance at the Center in the years ahead.
Equally important was the addition of a full-time
Office Manager/Rental Coordinator position for
the Center. Coupled with the additional parking,
we hope to see an increase in rentals, cooperative
programs and other outside uses of the facility.
Adult classes offered at the Center continue
to increase in popularity and in variety. The area
of 50+ computer classes has increased in number
of classes offered, registrations (always a waiting
list), and in attendance. In total, the Adult Special
Interest Class program increased from 1998 in
attendance by 53%, in registrations by 34% and
in revenue by 55%. Growth of interest and
participation in these classes was substantial
enough to hire a second part-time recreation
specialist this year.
The Pre-School/Youth Program continued to
gain strength in 1999 with revenue increasing by
14% to top $100,000! Significant increases were
noted in the Little Kickers and Kickin' Kids soccer
programs (up 29%) and Lob Ball (up 23%). The
Pee Wee Basketball program expanded by adding
a showcase at the conclusion of the summer
program and a new activity called Funshops
created new interest and excitement.
"Not long since, a gentleman was
heard to declare that the automobile had
had a tendency to lessen the use of our
parks. Quite the contrary is true.
Automobiles bring thousands to our parks
throughout the season who otherwise
would not visit them. This is shown by the
difficulty we sometimes have in finding
sufficient parking space. 11
Annual Report of the
Board of Park Commissioners, 1928