Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation and CIP Departmental Budget PresentationCity of Virginia Beach Proposed FY 2026-27 Parks and Recreation Operating Budget and CIP Michael Kirschman, Director of Parks and Recreation April 28, 2026 1 Trends & Issues 2 Department Programs and Services •Recreation Center memberships have increased from 99,400 to 118,000 •Visitation to City-wide parks, natural areas, and special-use facilities exceeded 5.6 million (a year-to- year increase of 7.8%) •Some parks are experiencing 15-40% growth in visits over the last three years Recreation Center Maintenance •Great Neck, Bayside, and Princess Anne Recreations Centers are reaching 30 years of age •Modernization timelines have been updated to begin the design on Great Neck Recreation Center in FY 2026-27 Significant Park Projects •Multiple Major Park Investments are currently being planned for or are already under construction •Bow Creek Stormwater Park (Flood Protection Program) •VBTrail (Two of the four phases fully funded) •Rudee Park Major Budget Changes 3 Various Rec Center Fee Changes $360,246 Parks and Rec SRF •Multiple Fee Adjustment designed to offset the cost increases associated with providing service and maintaining rec center facilities •Rec Center Membership Fee Increases ($5 for annual resident pass) •Room, pool, and gym rental increases •Aquatics Fee increases (Lifeguard and Water Safety Certifications) Open Space Management and Maintenance Team Reorganization (0.32 FTE) •Conversion of 1.32 part time FTEs to 1.0 full time FTE to improve the ability to hire a retain staff in a difficult to fill position Major Budget Changes- General Fund 4 Out of School Time Fee Increases $817,076 •Multiple different fees associated with child-care services are being adjusted to align fees closer to the cost of providing the service •Before and after school services and summer camp fees Early Childhood Fee Increases $67,980 •Increase to the monthly fee for all day childcare •The program remains competitively priced, and the increase is designed to offset the program’s reliance on General Fund resources. Major Budget Changes- General Fund Continued 5 Natural Resources Management Unit $241,013 (Net) •Conversion of 4.0 part time FTEs to full time FTEs to manage the Bow Creek Stormwater Park native plants, vegetation, and greenery while mitigating invasive species in and around the stormwater pond Reorganization of the Parks Maintenance Teams $148,957 (Net) •Conversion of 4.5 part time FTEs to 4 full time and 0.5 part time FTEs to allow the maintenance team to be divided into two zones to maintain the expected level of maintenance on parks amenities Major Budget Changes- General Fund Continued 6 PAAC Field Maintenance and Field Support Enhancements $43,093 (Net) •Conversion of 3.0 part time FTEs to full time FTEs to enhance the ability to maintain the Princess Anne Athletic Complex for faster field grooming between games and field turnover between rentals Citizen & Park Safety Initiative $575,000 •Designed to minimize increasing levels of vandalism and other serious issues, multiple high priority parks and locations will receive additional camera surveillance •Continuance of this being initially funded in FY 2025-26 Major Budget Changes- General Fund Continued 7 Park Ranger Program $790,343 – 3.0 FTEs •Add a dedicated security presence within the largest parks in the City •Alleviate the need for a Police Officer to respond to every non-violent call for service •Planned to be implemented in multiple phases, with phase one adding a Chief Ranger and two Park Rangers to establish standards of practice Early Childhood Program Reorganization – (0.41 FTE) •Conversion of 1.41 part time FTEs to 1.0 full time FTE to improve the ability to hire a retain staff to maintain compliance with state mandated standards Parks and Recreation CIP- Existing Projects with Modifications 8 Great Neck Recreation Center Modernization (CIP 100661) •$4 million in Appropriations to Date •$42 million programmed in FY 2027-28 •Design is now planned to begin in FY 2026-27 with construction to begin in FY 2027-28 •This project is fully funded and supported by the Parks and Rec SRF Lynnhaven Marina and Boat Ramp Facilities Repairs/Reno (CIP 100256) •$250,000 is provided in FY 2026-27 to build a semi-permanent restroom to replace the previously demolished restroom facility at the Lynnhaven Marina •Direction was provided by City Council during the FY 2025-26 Reconciliation process to find a long-term solution Parks and Recreation CIP- New Projects 9 Bayside Recreation Center Modernization (CIP 100740) •$4.5 million programmed in FY 2027-28 for design •Design is now planned to begin in FY 2027-28 with construction to begin in FY 2029-30 •This project is fully funded and supported by the Parks and Rec SRF Princess Anne Recreation Center Modernization (CIP 100739) •$4.5 million programmed for in FY 2029-30 for design •Design is now planned to begin in FY 2029-30 with construction to begin in FY 2031-32 •This project is fully funded and supported by the Parks and Rec SRF Questions? 10