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NewsMay 14, 1991

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Monday endorsed a plan to add summer sand volleyball to the activities available at Arena Park. Also, the board decided that the Parks and Recreation Department will offer reduced fees for "therapeutic group" use of the A.C. Brase Arena Building...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Monday endorsed a plan to add summer sand volleyball to the activities available at Arena Park.

Also, the board decided that the Parks and Recreation Department will offer reduced fees for "therapeutic group" use of the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

The volleyball courts will be built adjacent to the Arena Park tennis courts between Rodney and Optimist Drives.

Scott Williams, recreation coordinator, said there has been an increased demand over the past few years for city-sponsored sand volleyball leagues. He said the courts would be used for summer leagues.

Advisory board member David Goncher said he thought the volleyball courts would be popular. But he and board member Julia Kridelbaugh questioned whether the courts might be more suitable in another city park such as Cherokee.

Parks and Recreation Director Dan Muser said some of the advantages of the Arena site include adequate parking, easier access to future lighting, and better public visibility.

Board member Steve Jackson also said he thought outdoor volleyball is better suited for Arena Park, where the city's men's and women's softball leagues play. He said Cherokee is more of a "residential" park, more appropriate for such things as family gatherings.

"You're talking about a situation right in the middle of residential neighborhoods," Jackson said. "It's a lot different attitude of people than in an area that's basically zoned commercial (Arena Park)."

Jackson said he didn't think volleyball courts in Cherokee would get "near the use" of Arena Park courts.

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Muser said that, weather permitting, the courts could be built within a week and a league formed yet this summer.

Jim Grebing, board chairman, said he thought the volleyball courts were a good idea. "Little things are what counts," he said. "I think a lot of people would use it and it would be a good thing for the park."

In regard to the rate change for use of the Arena building, board members recommended that groups that provide therapeutic or rehabilitative services be allowed use of Arena Building recreational facilities for a reduced rate of 50 cents per person.

The facilities, which include basketball and volleyball courts and a weight room, are available to the public daily for a $1 admission charge. The therapeutic groups would be limited to use of the facilities between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, typically low-use periods, Muser said.

Muser said none of the groups would be given exclusive use of the Arena Building. He said several groups already have contacted the city expressing their interest in using the facilities.

"It would certainly encourage the use of the building and that's what we're trying to do," he said.

But board member Jay Crosnoe said there could be supervision problems with large groups. He asked what would be done if city equipment was damaged while the groups were using them.

"If they don't have good supervision, it could cost more money than we're getting for the additional use of the Arena Building," Crosnoe said.

But Muser said therapeutic groups in the past have used the city's recreation facilities without incident when they were in City Hall. "Based on their past track record, that hasn't happened," he said.

Penny Wingerter, recreation coordinator, said the groups will use the facility regardless, but by offering a reduced rate at specific times, the city is able to utilize the Arena Building when it's normally largely vacant.

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