08-I TRPA Grant-Sports Comp. - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section 6 - Needs Assessment 1 This section of the masterplan addresses the perceived needs of the community based on: ► public participation and comment ► staff analysis of the inventory ► consulting staff input ► statewide and regional survey responses contained in TORP. A comparison of the inventory with the "standards" previously discussed shows the following "deficiencies" when compared to established norms in other places. You are advised that norms for other places are guidelines for Paris only. Facility Recommended Paris Inventory Gold Elmhurst, IL Swimming Pools 1 1 0 Basketball Courts 49 n/a 4 Tennis Courts 12 16 25 Lighted softball 8 4 11 Unlighted softball 4 4 From this review of comparison to known standards then the City of Paris is only deficient in pools and basketball courts. The trouble with standards is they do not take into account the age, condition, location and functionability of facilities nor do they allow for local preferences. (For example both Gold and Elmhurst would say Paris needs an ice skating rink outdoor if the standards were interpreted literally). The needs expressed here are not in any particular order. The priorities of the community will be discussed in a later section. A. Staff Concerns Swimming Pool Most comments received by the park development committee, the city council and the staff centered around the absence of adequate swimming facilities for competition, exercise programs, instructional swimming and free swimming. The city does not currently and has not, in recent history, operated a pool facility. There appears to be much local demand for programs such as Red Cross' Leam to Swim program, lifesaving and water safety courses, Boy Scout merit badge courses for lifesaving and swimming, water aerobics, water "walking", and adult lap swimming. In addition, there is mounting pressure to provide competitive youth swimming teams with locations to practice. Water balfet is also an up -19-