Around 1,500 children from ages 4-12 participate in various sports at the Pell City Parks and Recreation (PCPR) Center throughout the year. With cheer, football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball all available through the center, the City of Pell City decided to create a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, comprised of members who “have diverse interests in parks, recreational facilities, recreational programs, and special events.”

Members to the board were selected and appointed by Pell City City Council. Those members are Adam Jones, Mitchell Cline, Phillip Woodard, Brandon Lee, Deidra Isbell, Cypress Hathorn, Valerie Curtis, Tessica Jordan, Mark Tidwell, Doug Carden, Michael Richey, and Joey Stevens.

“The Board functions in an advisory capacity, seeking to bridge the communications gap that exists between parents, coaches and the City,” Pell City City Manager said to the Pell City City Council on Monday. “It is my hope that convening such a panel on a regular basis, along with patron surveys and other outreach efforts can increase the level of involvement from our patrons.”

The PCPR Advisory Board duties would include serving as a liaison between Parks and Recreation and Pell City citizens, advising departmental personnel on the needs, interests, and goals of the community for recreational facilities, programs, and special events. The board would also help to inform and educate the public on the importance of recreational programs.

“Parks and recreation is one of the best assets we have in the city,” board member Joey Stevens said. “I spend a lot of time at the field and I look forward to beginning this position and helping anyway I can. I think it is a positive thing.”

Stevens has coached soccer with the Pell City league for the past seven years, and both of his daughters have played.

Pell City City Council wanted representatives that not only have experience with the programs offered through Parks and Recreation, but also have an interest in improving the programs overall.

“Communication, or lack thereof, has been listed prominently on every patron survey as the area we most need to improve,” Brian Muenger said. “This Board serves to address that need.”

All members will serve a one-year term and expect to have their first meeting within the next week.

City Council also approved the bid for new bleachers for fields at the facility, and new baseball netting and backstops are planned to be installed in January. Parks and Recreation are also working with the Street Department to improve walkways between the fields beginning early next year.