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Recreation director recalls summer successes

By For The Greene County Messenger 6 min read
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“This was a banner summer season for Greene County Recreation.”

Those words came from Jake Blaker, director of the county’s Recreation Department, who beamed with pride while reflecting on the 2019 summer season, particularly the impressive numbers for the three county-owned pools, swimming lessons and the county Day Camp.

Blaker said the attendance numbers for summer recreation activities were not just significantly better than last year, but the best the county has experienced in the past decade.

Blaker attributed increased attendance at the day camp and the three pools – Waynesburg Water Park and the Carmichaels and Mon View Pools – mostly to agreeable weather conditions.

“We were blessed with cooperation from Mother Nature most of the summer, and that really benefited our numbers and activities,” Blaker said.

Blaker said he was thrilled to learn that nearly 29,000 people, including Day Campers, attended to the three pools.

“That number is very, very impressive,” he said. “There were no issues reported at any of the pools all summer, and our lifeguards did a fantastic job in keeping swimmers safe and maintaining their authority. It was just simply a great year.”

Swimming lessons were once again offered at the Waynesburg Water Park and the Carmichaels pool throughout the summer, and registration numbers were also up from last year. Blaker said an estimated 250 lessons were given.

Pavilion rentals at the pools also saw increase in usage and profit, as Blaker said they performed “steady business” all throughout the summer.

As a result of the success, revenue brought in from the day camp, pools, concessions and swimming lessons were up significantly from last year, with the pools experiencing a 15% increase from last year in money obtained from admission fees.

Blaker said revenue generated from the summer activities is used to fund projects throughout the county, including Recreation.

Attendance for the Greene County Day Camp, which ran from June 17 through July 26, was also up from last year. Blaker said area youths between the ages of 5 and 15 signed in nearly 8,000 times during the Day Camp’s run, with more than 300 attending the last day.

Blaker commended the Recreation staff as well as those working at the pools and Day Camp for their efforts in making this a successful summer.

“They all did a fantastic job,” he said. “We had a terrific group of lifeguards, camp counselors and supervisors who were dedicated to making this a great and safe summer for our attendees.”

In addition to the success at the pools and Day Camp, Blaker said he is excited to see progress made on the Greene River Trail over the summer season.

A 2.2-mile trail extension began this summer that will further the trail to Jessop’s Boat Club in Carmichaels for a combined 7.4 miles, and Blaker said progress has been going so smoothly that it is anticipated to be completed by October.

“We have received a great deal of positive feedback this summer from residents about how nice the Greene River Trail is and how excited they are for the extension,” he said. “It was another bright spot in an already terrific summer.”

One factor that has Blaker excited is that the summer recreation in Greene County attracted not just many local residents but a large number of out-of-towners as well.

“Our data strongly indicates that our recreational facilities and activities offered this summer brought in people from West Virginia and Fayette and Washington counties, more than last year,” he said. “That’s exciting, because it shows that people outside of our county are hearing good things about what our area has to offer.”

With summer in the rear-view mirror, Blaker said the Recreation Department is looking forward to offering family-friendly, fun activities during the fall and winter.

The Mon View Roller Rink Mon View Roller Rink in Greensboro will kick off this season with a “Skate & Dance” on Friday, Oct. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Every Friday will feature a “Skate & Dance” from 7 to 11 p.m., and open skating will be from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission for all attendees will be $8 on Friday nights and $5 on Saturday nights. Times and prices may change for special events.

Due to the holidays and routine maintenance, the roller rink will be closed on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30, and also from Saturday, Dec. 28 through Jan 9. The roller rink will reopen on Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. for the first 2020 “Skate & Dance.”

The roller rink will be open Fridays and Saturdays through May 16, the rink’s last day for the season. There will be no skating held during the 2020 Easter weekend, April 10-11.

“Due to popular demand, we’re opening the Roller Rink earlier in the year and closing it later,” Blaker said. “There is a high demand for people who want to skate, and we couldn’t be happier about that.”

Speaking of skating, the Greene County Commissioners and Department of Recreation will sponsor a Halloween Skate and Dance at the Roller Rink on Friday, Nov. 1. Treats will be given to all skaters. Costumes will be judged and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

Skating will start at 7 p.m. and the dance will begin at 9 p.m. Admission is $8 per person.

Mon View is also available to rent for private parties at a rate of $150 for two hours. The price covers admission and skate rental for 20 people. A fee of $3 per additional person will be charged. Skate lessons are also available by appointment only.

Blaker said the county fairgrounds will also host a wide array of activities throughout the coming months, including the popular Essential Oils classes and arts/crafts sessions.

“Recreation is always happening in Greene County, all year round,” he said. “And as far as this past summer season is concerned, we are happy that a lot of hard work from our staff and the support and dedication of our Commissioners helped make this is a phenomenal season. I am proud of our safe, clean, well-maintained recreational facilities and our many programs and activities that we offer.”

For more information about anything pertaining to recreation in Greene County, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.

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