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Memo - Overpass skate Park FACILITIES DIVISION MEMORANDUM To: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Jay Strachota, Facilities Director September 22, 2005 Overpass Skate Park Discussion for 2006 Season Background At the May 3, 2005 meeting of the Hopkins City Council, the Council approved a one year Operations Agreement with The Third Lair to operate the Overpass Skate Park for the City of Hopkins during the 2005 season. Beyond operations this agreement also included a construction plan that consists of four elements - building new equipment, re-arranging existing equipment, rebuilding existing equipment, and maintenance & repair of existing equipment. The City invested $10,000 in 2005 to fund the construction plan. The City of Hopkins and the City of St. Louis Park have a reciprocity agreement between the Overpass Skate Park' and the St. Louis Park Aquatics Center. Residents of either city get into these facilities at a resident rate. (The 3rd Lair honors the reciprocity agreement). City of Minnetonka residents have always been considered "residents" in the Skate Park fee schedule. 2005 Season to Date In regards to the 2005 season, Third Layer's Mark Muller said they are pleased with the activity level to date. Their revenues to date are $10,469. That's almost twice the revenues the City collected in the full 2003 season (2003 is the last year the City operated the park). Estimated attendance to date is 1,495 visitors (2003 season less than 1000 visitors for the season) with 439 registered users. Last season's total was 2000 visits for the year so this year's total visits should be about the same in the end. Per day rates for park usage for 2005 are $6.00 resident, $8 non- resident. There has been a very low level of vandalism and high compliance with the park rule relating to the mandatory wearing of helmets. This season the park was opened to bicycles for the first time and the cycling community has favorably received the park. Break down of origins of registered users by region: 43% from Western Suburbs 32% from other suburbs 10% from Greater Minnesota 10% from MinneapoIis/St. Paul 5% from out of state or unknown Break down of origins of registered users by Community. The top 6 rank as follows: I. Minneapolis (43 waivers) 2. Plymouth (32 waivers) 3. Edina (30 waivers) 4. Hopkins (24 waivers) 5. St. Louis Park (23 waivers) 6. Minnetonka (20 waivers) There are users from 82 communities. Overall, the season has a successful one for the City and The Third Lair. The construction plan was completed, there have been no administrative issues with the operations or operators agreement, comments from the public have been positive. 2006 Season Both City and Third Lair staff feel 2006 will be a stronger season. First off the park didn't get opened this year until the end of May. The early season is a strong season, as skaters want to get out as soon as the weather is nice. So if an agreement can be executed early in 2006 the park can open earlier in 2006 and fill the needs of spring skaters. Having a operator sooner means we will be able to advertise the park, hours, camps, etc. in the Hopkins/Minnetonka Recreation brochure, Hopkins Highlights, and The Third Liar will be able to integrate the Overpass into their marketing plan. The agreement was completed too late in 2005 to take full advantage of many of these marketing opportunities in 2005. Special efforts will be made to attract more resident users to the park in 2006. The Third Liar would like to continue to improve and maintain the park for the 2006 season with a $10,000 investment from the City to be spent improving and maintaining the park like was done in 2005. This investment helps to build activity levels, create excitement in the skating community, it creates recognition for the City of Hopkins, and it's a good contractual method of maintaining the equipment. The City owns the improvements made by Third Liar, and The Third Liar has the expertise and connections to improve and promote the park. The area where the Overpass Skate Park is located will continue to be improved with the proposed improvements to the Depot Coffee House site by Three Rivers Park District and Excelsior Boulevard beautification projects. An improved and vibrant Overpass Skate Park fits into the upgrade of the area. Conclusion Staff would like to enter into another I -year operators agreement with the Third Lair for 2006 and has scheduled this work session discussion with Council to hear the Council's concerns and comments before beginning negotiations oil the 2006 agreement.