Ebensburg Recreation Board Minutes from May 14, 2025

Meeting Overview

The Ebensburg Recreation Board held its monthly meeting on May 14, 2025, at the Ebensburg Borough Building. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 PM by Amber Mesoras.

Attendees:

• Present: Susan Kuhar, Amber Mesoras, Ashley Bobby (first meeting), Phil Woo, and Rebecca Williamson.
• Absent: Theresa Jacoby, Rory Coleman, Melanie Boland, and Samantha Kemock.
• Visitors: Members of the Ebensburg Pickleball Club.

Pickleball Court Proposal

A significant portion of the meeting focused on a proposal from the Ebensburg Pickleball Club to install permanent courts at the hockey rink located at Lake Rowena.

• Discussion: The board discussed the community reaction to removing a permanent structure that has been at Lake Rowena for decades. The group noted it was unfair to assume the rink is unused without data, as its usage for hockey or inline skating is currently unknown.
• Decision: The board decided not to submit a grant for the Memorial Field pickleball courts, determining that two locations within the borough are unnecessary.
• Next Steps: The board approved a community survey to determine usage of the hockey rink and gather opinions on permanent courts.
• Interim Solution: The group voted to allow the Pickleball Club to paint lines on the existing hockey rink and use portable nets for summer play, pending an evaluation of any overlap with inline skaters or hockey players.

Facility Updates and Repairs

Several maintenance issues were addressed across different facilities:

• YPCC (Youth and Public Community Center):
  • Sports Interior provided an estimate of $63,715 to fix a leaking roof. This project will go out for public bid.
• Ballfields:
  • Bathrooms at Memorial Fields have been deep-cleaned and painted, including a new toilet in the men's room.
  • McDonalds Field remains flooded after rainfall. Staff assisted with pumping water and spreading sand, but the field is often unplayable.
• Pool:
  • The opening day is set for May 31, 2025, delayed due to a lack of sun to dry the paint.
  • A new pump will be installed for the kiddie slide, and sensors for the CAT 5000 system have been ordered.
• Tennis Center:
  • The fire alarm system is malfunctioning and cannot be repaired due to age.
  • The board voted to replace the system using a bid from Gittings (chosen over Bettwy to keep the work local).

Administrative

• The January minutes were reviewed and approved.
• The March 2025 financial report was not available for review.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM.