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<br />Section 6 - Needs Assessment <br /> <br />I <br />This section of the masterplan addresses the perceived needs of the community based on: <br /> <br />. public participation and comment <br /> <br />. staff analysis of the inventory <br /> <br />. consulting staff input <br /> <br />. statewide and regional survey responses contained in TORP. <br /> <br />A comparison of the inventory with the "standards" previously discussed shows the <br />following "deficiencies" when compared to established norms in other places. You are <br />advised that norms for other places are guidelines for Paris only. <br /> <br />Facility <br /> <br />Recommended <br />Gold Elmhurst, IL <br /> <br />Paris Inventory <br /> <br />Swimming Pools <br />Basketball Courts <br />Tennis Courts <br />Lighted softball <br />Unlighted softball <br /> <br />1 <br />49 <br />12 <br />8 <br /> <br />1 <br />n/a <br />16 <br />4 <br />4 <br /> <br />o <br />4 <br />25 <br />11 <br />4 <br /> <br />From this review of comparison to known standards then the City of Paris is only deficient <br />in pools and basketball courts. The trouble with standards is they do not take into account <br />the age, condition, location and functionability of facilities nor do they allow for local <br />preferences. (For example both Gold and Elmhurst would say Paris needs an ice skating <br />rink outdoor if the standards were interpreted literally). <br /> <br />The needs expressed here are not in any particular order. The priorities of the community <br />will be discussed in a later section. <br /> <br />A. Staff Concerns <br /> <br />Swimming Pool <br /> <br />Most comments received by the park development committee, the city council and the staff <br />centered around the absence of adequate swimming facilities for competition, exercise <br />programs, instructional swimming and free swimming. The city does not currently and has <br />not, in recent history, operated a pool facility. There appears to be much local demand for <br />programs such as Red Cross' Learn to Swim program, lifesaving and water safety courses, <br />Boy Scout merit badge courses for lifesaving and swimming, water aerobics, water <br />"walking", and adult lap swimming. In addition, there is mounting pressure to provide <br />competitive youth swimming teams with locations to practice. Water ballet is also an up <br /> <br />-19- <br />