The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-07-19
SAYS RECREATIONAL
IN CITY IS.
ADVANCING STEADILY.
Director John w. Reel Tells Of
Development in Annual Re-
port to Boards

Participants in BiSmarck's recrea-
tional program are increasing stead
lily, John w. Reel, director Of recrea-
ton, said in his annual report sub
mitted Tuesday to the board of rec
reational activities, board of educa-
ton, city commission and park board.
Quoting figures to show the popu-
larity of the program and giving brief
descriptions of the various enterprises,
Reel concluded that the program is
sound"
Reels report covered the following
activities: Swimming pool. parks,
Fairgrounds, junior baseball, mems
daimondball, skating Kinks and WIN
ter sports, auditorium program,
schools, and miscellaneous.
In showing the growth of the vari-
Gus projects, Reel said $3.50 SWIM
mers last month paid $634.43 for the
privilege whereas 1879 persons paid
$685. 80 for swimming privileges in the
same month of 1881. More than 2,700
children enlisted in the supervised
programs at the two Fairgrounds.
Two hundred boys participated in the
junior baseball program this year
compared to 100 last season. More
than $1,000 skaters are estimated to
have used the city's six Kinks last
winter. Rec ESTIMATED 81 $50 persons
attended 81 different programs in the
auditorium during the year. More
than 10000 of these were attending
conventions.
Cost Taxpayers S7S5
Total operating cost of the SWIM
ming pool to taxpayers was $785.53,
Reel said, the expenditures being ST.
479.06 and the receipts $l,693.53. Sea-
son tickets, he said, enabled children
under 10 years of age to swim for one
cent day, those under II years of
age for two and one-half cents day
and adults for three cents day.
Many improvements were made at the
pool, including foot bath for SWIM
mers to insure cleanliness, changes in
draining and scrubbing of pool. and a
new system of filling the pool. The
water bill was 5000. In addition to
regular swimming pool services, free
swimming instruction is offered. More
than $4,000 persons swan in the pool
last year.
The skating rink program cost the
taxpayers 1868. or "a cents for each
person who skated. Reel estimated.
The total cost of the junior base
ball program was $305.29, while COM
mercial firms sponsoring diamondball
teams bore the expense of diamond
ball league play.
The city's two Fairgrounds cost
s205.73, or four cents per day for each
child.
Taxpayers paid s2,14e.2O for opera
ton of the city auditorium during the
year, Reel said. Expenditures were
$2,99328 but rentals brought in
$844.08. Rental fees were paid for SO
of the "a affairs conducted in the
auditorium.
Commends Park Services
Park services, besides furnishing
beautified areas, are among the most
productive functions of the modern
city, Reel said. These services pro-
mote health and morale. protect chill
dren from street dangers, decrease
delinquency and build for good citi-
zenship through the development of
the individual by clean outdoor rec
reation.
Reel said he did not feel that the
recreation program In the schools has
developed as rapidly as 1t should but
expressed confidence great develop
ment will be made in the next year.
The director of recreation is busy,
Reel said. Besides directing mems
gymnasium classes, caring for all the
problems of maintenance and opera
ton that are necessary in the World
War Memorial building and city au-
ditorium, the duties of supervising
the children's Fairgrounds, boys base
ball program, mems diamondball,
basketball and volleyball leagues,
swimming pool, skating Kinks. certain
park problems, stated responsibilities
to the board of education, many other
duties are performed" he said. The
director also serves as secretary OF
the Community Players, home talent
Grammatical organization, and assists
in making arrangements for tourna-
ments, conventions, banquets and
miscellaneous meetings.