Parks looks at renaming BIRC after retiring Lande

Parks is looking at renaming the Bainbridge Island Recreation Center after retiring executive director Terry Lande, just as parks commissioners are looking at hiring his replacement.

Commissioner Jay Kinney said when Lande left, Dan Hamlin, who was Park Services director, was named acting executive director, which gave him a chance to see if he liked the position and gave the board a chance to see him in the role. Kinney said he thinks it has been a success. He and Commissioner Tom Swolgaard have talked with members of the community, the BI Parks and Trails Foundation, BI Land Trust, and park staff. Everyone was supportive. Kinney said the board should vote on that at its next meeting.

Also, Lande was honored at the meeting. The district went from an underfunded rural agency to the second-largest metropolitan park district in the state. He built the district’s legacy as a major steward of BI’s natural areas and provider of recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. One of his major achievements was acquisition of the BI Recreation Center, which made the facility available to all and helped the district meet many of the growing demands for indoor activities.

Commissioner Ken DeWitt said he thinks it is appropriate to recognize Lande’s contributions by naming the BIRC the Terry M. Lande Athletics and Recreation Center. After some discussion, the board agreed to have staff brainstorm additional names and their corresponding acronyms and bring the options back to the board.

The retirement party for Lande has been moved to Oct. 14 from 4-6 p.m. at BIRC.

Meanwhile, parks superintendent Lydia Roush said the Eight Acre Wood property is being anonymously donated through the foundation, which will transfer it to the district for a passive-use park. The property is 7.62 acres with trails in Rolling Bay. Some restrictions apply, and the trails will be limited to pedestrian walking. The district can improve the trails, maintain vegetation and develop trail-related facilities including things like viewing platforms, boardwalks and small bridges.

When the 2008 levy was passed a provision required a portion of the money be spent on land acquisition. The Parkland Acquisition Committee developed criteria and identified a need for public land in Rolling Bay. In 2013 funding was insufficient to purchase properties so the district shifted to acquiring easements. The 2021 levy ended the requirement, but does fund the existing Land Acquisition Fund. The Eight Acre Wood property serves a neighborhood center and expands the district’s trail system, which are two of the priorities identified.

In staff reports, Aquatic Program administrator Jenette Reneau said the Don Nakata pool at the Aquatic Center is back open after a planned closure to replace the pool liner. Youth & Teen Art & Enrichment program manager Shannon Buxton has given notice that she will be retiring mid-November after 34 years with the district. Roush said the pollinator garden at Gideon Park is going to be revamped. Staff is also working to prepare Battle Point Park for the Haunted Hayride.

Park Services superintendent David Harry said the new bathroom building for Battle Point Park has been delivered, and the septic system is still under review by the Kitsap Public Health District. He met with the pickleball community to finalize the bid details for turning the shared tennis courts at Battle Point into pickleball courts. The Ray Williamson pool renovation contractor is about 80% done with the interior demolition for Phase I. The contractor for the Sakai Park tennis courts has finished site preparation work.