Monday, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 |
Photo – Saratoga’s outdoor swimming pool – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials address concerns about the town’s recreation department.
During the August 19th Saratoga Town Council meeting, former council member and past Recreation Board member, Kathy Beck, raised concerns about the state of the town’s recreation department, particularly regarding Recreation Director Carter Edwards. Beck said residents were dissatisfied with Edwards’s leadership and accused the Recreation Director of misusing town vehicles and restricting access to gym equipment and facilities.
Mayor Davis addressed Beck’s concerns at the September 2nd Town Council meeting. Councilman Bub Barkhurst began by reading a letter from Recreation Commission President Megan James thanking Beck for bringing her concerns to the governing body’s attention.
In her letter, Recreation Commission President James acknowledged Director Edwards’s positive contributions, including the expansion of fitness and sports programs.
At the previous Town Council meeting, Beck said residents felt the Recreation Department lacked effective communication. Mayor Davis refuted the claim and encouraged the public to contact him directly or attend monthly Recreation Commission meetings.
Former Councilwoman Beck also questioned the lack of information regarding the proposed aquatic center. In 2022, local attorney Nick Haderlie introduced plans to build the Platte Valley Aquatic Center, a $12 to $16 million indoor water sports facility. Confident that he could raise the funds for the project, Haderlie requested a 50-year lease on town-owned land between the Saratoga Library and Middle High School, with ownership reverting to the town if the project failed. Annual operating costs were estimated at $750,000, with Haderlie suggesting using Saratoga’s full recreation budget to support a nonprofit organization created to manage the facility.
At the time, a new Town Council was coming on board and the governing body decided to let the incoming Council decide the matter. However, the proposed Platte Valley Aquatic Center was never revisited, and the project appeared to have been forgotten until earlier this year.
At last week’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said the scope of the aquatic center project appears to have changed. Mayor Davis said he met with Haderlie and Recreation Director Edwards two months ago, during which the attorney offered to research the need for a local Boys and Girls Club instead.
Mayor Davis said he has not heard from Haderlie since that meeting.
Beck also questioned the makeup of the town’s Recreation Commission. Mayor Davis explained that most of the previous Commission resigned, requiring the governing body to appoint an entirely new board. Each appointee is serving the remainder of the term left vacant by their predecessor. The Mayor said he has tried to ensure the Commission is made up of both new and old members.
Mayor Davis also addressed concerns about the difficulty of reaching Recreation Director Edwards. The Mayor said Edwards is often out in the community performing his duties rather than working from his office.
During the last Town Council meeting, former Councilwoman Beck said Edwards threatened to hide equipment from gym users. Edwards said pickleball nets were placed in storage to prevent damage. However, the equipment is still available to gym patrons.
Beck also said Edwards restricted access to the gym locker rooms. The Recreation Director acknowledged that the locker rooms are closed. However, Edwards said the rooms are often vandalized and suggested gym patrons shower and change at home instead.
Edwards added that public restrooms are available in the recreation center.
Mayor Davis confirmed that Recreation Director Edwards uses a town-issued vehicle, explaining that travel is a routine part of his job responsibilities.
Former Councilwoman Kathy Beck said residents have complained about the lack of new gym equipment. Mayor Davis said the town recently spent over $13,000 on upgrades, including a new zip line for the pool. Edwards said he is in the process of replacing all the outdated exercise machines.
Other Saratoga residents have mentioned that the outdoor public pool is often cold during morning aerobics classes. Mayor Davis acknowledged that cooler nights lower the temperature of the pool water. Davis said the town is planning to install an insulating cover before next season.
In the end, Mayor Davis said he believed that the town’s Recreation Department is doing well under Rec Director Edwards’s guidance. The Mayor once again encouraged the public to reach out to him personally with any questions or concerns.
