Orland offers summer recreational activities

Do you want to play petanque? Or does disc golf appeal to you more?

These are some of the potential offerings this year as the Orland Recreation Department looks to expand its activities.

Director Joe Fenske said he was approached by a man who wants to start a petanque club in town.

Petanque is a French game that has some similarities to bocce ball.

A disc golf club also wants to set up a course at Vinsonhaler Park, Fenske said during an update on department's events a the City Council meeting on Monday.

Youth dance classes and more leisure activities for senior citizens are under consideration as well, he said.

In the meantime, basketball leagues for adults and youth remain popular at the Orland Recreation Center off Hambright Avenue.

Thirty-seven teams competed in the adult basketball last year which included both fast and slow break offerings.

Flag football had six teams, while the volleyball league had 7, Fenske said.

Co-ed softball hosted 12 teams in 2012, he added, while men's fast-pitch had 9 teams, and 16 teams competed in the co-ed tournament.

Cardio kickboxing classes generally have about 40 participants, and other exercise classes are popular with residents as well, he said.

Dodge ball, tee-ball and tiny tots programs also are growing.

Youth basketball programs enrolled 160 children and teens in 2012 and have 196 signed up for 2013, Fenske said, while Tee-ball sign-ups grew from 96 last year to 115 in 2013. There are 35 youngsters in the tiny tots program this year compared to 20 the previous year.

But the youth summer camps will really fill the center during the day when school is out, he said.

Basketball, a combination sports camp, tennis camps, mini-sports camp for little children, soccer camp and cheerleading camp are all on tap for summer 2013.

Swimming lessons also will be given at the city pool which is a destination for many children and teens on hot summer days, Fenske said.

Registration fees may have to increase in the future, Fenske said, because of increased costs.

Currently, most classes and programs run about $35 for 8 games, he added, with the help of volunteer coaches. The fees do cover expenses, he said.

But awards, equipment and related items are beginning to cost more to supply. As a result, Fenske said he will have to examine the fee schedule and come back with recommendations at a later date.

Items purchased for recreation last year include 10 new picnic tables put out at various parks, a sign is to go up on the recreation center showing what it is and new nets for the tennis courts were purchased.

Of course, planned improvements to the swimming pool this fall, a proposed spray park, Bihler Field upgrades and proposed covered picnic areas are all ideas Fenske supports, he said.

He still has a "wish list."

However, he cautioned the Council he does not expect funding for these things any time soon.

Goals for the future are to create a sports complex where multiple sports can be played, expansion of the recreation center in the rear, park expansions and more playgrounds, Fenske said.

A multi-purpose room off the back of the recreation center would allow for more programs to work at the same time such as basketball, volleyball, exercise classes and more.

Right now, only one activity can be done at a time, so the courts must be reserved at different points in the day or evening, he said.

A utility truck is needed to work on the baseball fields, outdoor basketball courts would be nice and a walk-run path also is needed.

"How many hours a week is the recreation center used?, Councilman Jim Paschall asked.

In the summer, it is "packed all day long," Fenske said, with youth camps, exercise classes and games.

This month it is not used as much until basketball season starts, he said.

"I appreciate the numbers you put in," Mayor Charles Gee said. "Hang on to the wish list . It may be there someday."