The Mountain Times

Mike Sutcliffe Earns His Award - Killington Rec Brimming With Activities!

At the June 13 meeting of the Town of Killington Parks and Recreation Commission Mike Sutcliffe, Recreation Director, presented his report to the Commission. Mike advised that the baseball season has been a very good one, and he thanked John Durney and Andrew McKenna, (T-Ball coaches), Steve Nisimblatt and Ray Rice, (Mighty Mite coaches), Casey Crompton and Chris Bianchi, (Minor League coaches), Klaus Weirether and Ron Ottino, (Major League coaches). Mike Sutcliffe reported that the Major League decided that they were going to try out the Cal Ripkin League. In the past, 6 different towns would split up and make an all star team and play in the Proctor tournament. The Cal Ripkin League is for just Majors this year and 3 players have been chosen for the all star team- Connor Black, Joe Bianchi and Liam VanHerwarde. The Commissioners congratulated all of them. Mike Sutcliffe said, over all it was a very successful season. Also, our Major League team will be making the League Playoffs.

Regarding Winter Swim, Mike Sutcliffe said that we just finished our final Winter Swim session with 8 signed up. He thanked the Pico Sports Complex for allowing us to run these programs which were highly successful this year.

Regarding Summer Programs, Mike distributed the new Killington Parks and Recreation Summer 2011 brochure and went through it with the Commissioners.

The pool opened on June 18 for the 2011 season. The Splash Theatre will be held on July 20 and August 10 at 7 pm and is open and free for the public. The pool fees have changed for 2011 to daily fees for non-residents $2 for kids 12 and under and $4 for adults. Non-resident season passes for families of 4 are $50 and individual adult $30 and individual child are $15.

Camp Loads of Fun will run from June 27 to August 12 and has had a lot of out-of-state families sign up. The same staff will be returning- Ryan Wonsor, Kristen McLaughlin, and Anne Trono. There is a fun line up of activities for Camp Loads of Fun.

Rek and Trek Adventure Camp this year is for 8 to 13 year olds, and runs from June 27 to August 12. Cindy Dunigan and Anna Nadler will be the returning staff.

Swim lessons for Little Guppies will be at the pool for infants and mothers to introduce them to the water, and there will be 3 sessions of Little Guppies being offered that started on July 5. There have been several sign ups so far.

The Summer Swim Team is in full force. Mike Sutcliffe thanked Barb Wood and Eileen Godfrey, and Kim Gaines for their strong commitment this season. More volunteers are more than welcome.

The Green Mountain National Golf Course and the Recreation Department have teamed up for a lot of fun this summer with Family Golf Night, a parent/child clinic, to be held on Wednesdays at 5:30pm at $10 a person per night. The Junior Golf Clinic second session will run from August 15, 16, 17 from 8 am to 12:30 pm for ages 9 years and up costs $99. Learn to Play Golf/Enjoy Golf for parents and teens 7th to 12th grade with 4 practice sessions followed by a BBQ and Glow Ball Tournament takes place from June 21 to August 11 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm costs $15 per teen and $25 per family. Contact the Green Mountain National Golf Course directly for all these golf programs including payment.

The Challenger Soccer Camp of last year had the largest turnout with 38 kids and a strong sign up so far this year. Anyone interested in being a host family contact the Rec. Department. The camp is July 26 to July 30 for ages 4 to 6, 9 am to 10 am, and for ages 6 to 12 the time is from 9 am to noon.

The Top Spin Tennis Camp coached by Gary Thompson for grades 1 through 6 is from August 1 to August 5, 9:30 am to 11 am.

Under Old Business, Mike Sutcliffe advised that the Thursday night Summer Concert Series has a strong lineup of performers: The Dan Walker Trio (Americana/Roots/Rock/African Rhythms and World Music), Folk by Association (Bluegrass/Folk), Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils (Jazz), Simply Acoustic (Rock/Pop Acoustic), Swing Noire (Acoustic/Jazz/Swing). Concerts are July 14 to August 18 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm and free of charge. Steve Nisimblatt suggested signs on the road that read "Free Concert." Leo Davin suggested we ask Royal Barnard to up the concerts on the front page of The Mountain Times.

Dog Days will take place on River Road behind the library this summer.

The Killington Senior lunch cost supplement was discussed and Mike Sutcliffe suggested that Mike Young submit a request for appropriations to the Town for next year. Mike Young said the golf course has agreed to host the Seniors for next year during the summer and The Lookout Restaurant has agreed to host them for the winter.

Regarding the fence sponsorship, Mike Sutcliffe reported that since the last meeting we received one more sponsorship from Ski Country Real Estate. He said that overall it has been very successful this first year with the revenue going toward a new fence. Mike Sutcliffe thanked all of the sponsors for their participation.

Under New Business, Mike Sutcliffe said that he is looking into 3 potential new programs including circus elements for the fall, a drumming class and a theater class.

Regarding the trail map, Mike Sutcliffe said that the completed Killington Region Hiking Trail Guide is out with full distribution with the 10 top hikes within a 45 minute drive from Killington. He said we are getting a lot of good feedback from the community. Mike Young brought up guides and Mike Sutcliffe said that we don't want to compete with the commercial enterprises in Town.

Next, it was announced that Mike Sutcliffe was voted by his peers as "Young Professional of the Year" from the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association. The Commissioners congratulated Mike and discussed posting the award in the newspapers.

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