HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRYC 2025-07-23Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission (DRYC)
July 23, 2025
HybridPresent:David Peck (Acting Chair), Janelle Carr, Will OlsonAbsent:Leslie Debo (Chair), Julie McLean, James WhalleyStaff:Marty Conger (Recreation Director)Allison Kjellander-Cantu
(Deputy Town Clerk)
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m.
Review and Approval of Minutes ofMay 28, 2025
The May 25th meeting minutes were tabled
Reports: Cornell Cooperative Extension Rural Youth Services
D Peck informed everyone that the YOURSProgram Directors' position is still not filled. It was mentioned that this position has been vacant for two years now.
Reports: Tompkins County Youth Services Department
D Peckreported no budget update from the county.
Reports: Recreation Department
M Conger gave a quick update on how the Summer Camp is going. She is very pleased with the staff, and everything is going well in the third week. There have only been minor infections
reported.Basketball,archery, and dance camps start next week.
There is a new head varsity football coach this year. Chris Nightingale was approved as the varsity football head coach at the last school board meeting.She will be working with him
to get everything ready for the season.
Fall registrations are open. Thetackle cheerleading currently is the onlyfull program. Soccer registrations are slowly coming in.Discussions with football coaches and parents suggest
a growing interest in flag football away from tackle football.The idealgrades to offer flag football arethird to sixth grade.Some places, like Moravia, have a girls' flag football program.“The
kids aren't super excitedabout the switch.” The current K-3rd grade flag coach has been informed that third graders who are not interested in tackle football could be integrated into
flag football teams.
Flag football is "growing in popularity," with places like Homer having "huge" flag programs through sixth grade, delaying tackle until later.
Fields Behind Town Hall Project:
An update was given regarding theTown Board'sdecision to give the go-ahead for pursuing quotes for a grant writer. This is described as a preliminary but positive step towards securing
funding.DRYC needs to obtain three quotes for grant writers. M Congar will be getting this contact information for them from Cassie. CHA is also expected to provide a contact.The grants
are intended to secure money for recreation projects.The Town Board asked some good questions and some not-so-good questions. One misconception was theirbelief that "Sertoma still runs
the soccer program."
Dryden Lake and Dryden Dam:
The recent town board meeting discussed the possibility that the state has offered us control of the town. A key issue is the dam, which requires over 3 million dollars in repairs. The
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has indicated it may not allocate that amount for replacement. There is also speculation that they might remove the dam entirely, causing
the lake to disappear. The lake has been around since the 1830s. If the town gains control, it could open opportunities for renovations and improvements, such as adding a boat launch.
However, a softball field at the lake seems unlikely.
Parking Solutions for Recreation Facilities:The parking expansion remains a major issue across the board. Members felt that this part of the project (referring to the main grant-funded
initiative). It can be dealt with later.
D. Peck noted that there's enough space to thin out some of the trees in a specific section and install parking there, potentially between the small field and the recreation shed.W Olson
suggested adding workout stations along the access road, making it feel like a "feature" and an opportunity for the whole family to use this.
Dryden Center for Community (Former United Methodist Church):
This new group has been formed and has submitted paperwork for 501(c)(3) non-profit status in New York State. A purchase offer of $275,000 for the church and its contents has been
submitted. The center will focus on the arts and performing arts. A fundraiser will be held soon to raise financial support for purchasing the building and covering the initial operating
costs. A proposal was submitted to the New York core grant for the renovations to the building, including an upgraded elevator, replacement of flooring to support dance and yoga classes,
and an upgraded HVAC system, including heat pumps for year-round air source temperature control.
Future Recreation Projects:
There's continued concern about not having enough space for what we need. This suggests the need to think of another potential second project so that we can achieve Dryden recreation.
There being no further business, on motion made by W Olson, the meeting was adjourned at 7:47p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Allison Kjellander-Cantu
Deputy Town Clerk