Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board hosts Tennis Play Day

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Oak Ridge Tennis Play Day

Participants of Saturday’s Tennis Play Day are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board hosted a free Tennis Play Day on Saturday as part of the Playful City USA initiative.

“Participants of all ages tried their hand at a variety of challenges, while also learning about new tennis opportunities in Oak Ridge,” a press release said.

United States Tennis Association instructor David Bowman led skills and challenges for the event, the release said.

“This event is an example of the partnerships that the city YAB is attempting to build in the community,” said Matt Reedy, Oak Ridge recreation program supervisor and YAB liaison. “David Bowman is a great resource and advocate for youth tennis here in Oak Ridge, and he is bringing in USTA tournaments several times a year as well.”

Reedy said the YAB subsidized the cost of painting “Quickstart Tennis” lines for kids’ tennis and added an informational sign.

“This event was designed to be free, fun, and informative about youth tennis here in Oak Ridge,” Reedy said.

He said the Youth Advisory Board is working on another new initiative involving a partnership with the Grove Center Merchants to host a Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 1.

“Our annual Breakfast with Santa event has always been hosted in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Gym, and we felt that it was time to change the event up and branch out a bit,” Reedy said. “Through this partnership, we will free up Recreation Department resources for Youth Basketball Leagues to begin, while also supporting local businesses in Grove Center. It is a win-win.”

YAB meetings are held twice per month on Wednesday afternoons at the Oak Ridge Civic Center and are open to the public. Board members serve a one-year term of office and must re-apply in May of each year.

For more information, call Reedy at (865) 425-3442 or visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department website at www.orrecparks.org.

Lady Wildcats lose regional soccer match to Knoxville Catholic

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Lady Wildcats and Knox Catholic Soccer

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats lost an exciting, hard-fought regional tournament soccer match to Knoxville Catholic at Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday night.

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats lost in a penalty kick shootout during a regional tournament soccer match with Knoxville Catholic on Tuesday night.

The game was tied 1-1 after 80 minutes of regular time and 30 minutes of extra time at Oak Ridge High School. Knoxville Catholic beat Oak Ridge 4-2 in the best-of-five shootout that followed, coming up with two crucial saves.

Both teams had missed opportunities to score during the game, and Oak Ridge had several shots bounce off the crossbar and posts.

“You’ve got to finish those,” Lady Wildcats soccer coach Tom Gorman said. “Close doesn’t cut it.”

It was a disappointing finish to an exciting, hard-fought game for the Lady Wildcats.

Oak Ridge beat Hardin Valley in the district tournament game last week and finished the season 17-1-3, Gorman said.

Knoxville Catholic goes on to play Farragut on Thursday.

Construction starts on Melton Lake Park pavilion

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Melton Lake Park Waterfront Pavilion

Construction work has started on a new waterfront pavilion at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge.

Construction work has started on a long-awaited pavilion at Melton Lake Park.

The $159,000 pavilion could be used for rowing and community events. The Oak Ridge City Council awarded a construction contract for it in May.

It’s the second major step in a waterfront development plan approved by City Council in December 2009. The first was the paving of the parking lot at Elza Gate Park.

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Secret City Half Marathon in November could have up to 800 runners

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More than 400 runners from 15 states have registered for the Secret City Half Marathon and Relay in November, an organizer said Monday.

The 13.1-mile race could have up to 800 runners, said Frank Chmielewicz. The race starts and ends at the National Fitness Center on Briarcliff Avenue, and the course includes Oak Ridge streets and greenways, including Melton Lake Greenway on the city’s waterfront.

Proceeds benefit the Anderson County Child Advocacy Center, which helps children who have been victims or witnesses to physical abuse, sexual abuse, or other crimes.

Besides the Half Marathon and Relay, there is also a Secret City Half Marathon 4 Kids, Chmielewicz said. It’s for children from first grade to sixth grade.

“The free event encourages children to exercise by establishing a fun and exciting goal for them to strive toward,” Chmielewicz said. “Participants will run a total of 12 miles leading up to race morning. On race day, children will run the last 1.1 miles.”

All participants get an official race number, race shirt, and goody bag. Medals will be given to those children who are pre-registered and cross the finish line, Chmielewicz said.

The race starts at 8 a.m. Nov. 18.

Chmielewicz said Emory Valley Road between the Oak Ridge Marina and Briarcliff Avenue will be closed to traffic from about 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 18 for the run. In addition, Briarcliff Avenue between Emory Valley and Laboratory roads will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. that day. One lane of Oak Ridge Turnpike traveling east will be closed.

“Expect delays on Melton Lake drive due to runners crossing the street to run on the greenway,” Chmielewicz said.

He said the race is being conducted with help from the city of Oak Ridge.

There will be a Saturday evening pasta dinner after the race to raise money for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

For more information, visit http://secretcityhalfmarathon.com/.

Oak Ridge offers lifeguard course during Fall Break

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An American Red Cross Lifeguarding course will be offered during Oak Ridge schools’ fall break next week, Oct 22-26.

Students who are 16 years old and older and successfully complete the course can apply for a City of Oak Ridge lifeguard position, a press release said.

The class is offered by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, and it will be taught daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory, a press release said.

Successful completion of the class will provide the student with certificates for Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, and First Aid, the press release said.

All students must be at least 15 years old. Prerequisites include a 300-yard continuous swim using the front crawl and breaststroke using rhythmic breathing, a timed 20-yard swim and recovery of a 10-pound weight, and treading water for two minutes using legs only. The prerequisites must be met the first day of class.

The class fee is $135. Registration is available at the Oak Ridge Civic Center front desk, and payment is due at the time of registration. Enrollment is limited.

For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at (856) 425-3450 or visit www.orrecparks.org.

Committee drafts two designs for dog park at Big Turtle

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Dog Park Proposal 1

The first, larger layout for a proposed dog park at Big Turtle Park would be closer to the Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Submitted images)

A city committee has drafted two possible designs for a dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge.

The proposals were presented to the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board on Thursday by Bridgett Ellis, a parks board member and chair of the Dog Park Committee.

The parks board will fine-tune construction and maintenance costs for the dog park by the end of the year, and members could pick one of the two concept plans presented Thursday, said Josh Collins, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks director. Then, advocates will have to start looking for money.

That’s been the primary obstacle to building the dog park, a project that’s been in the works for about four to five years, Collins said.

He said the park is well-supported by many people. During Thursday’s meeting, Oak Ridge City Council member Chuck Hope said the dog park could have sponsorships, and people in the community might donate, Collins said.

“I think there’s a fair amount of grassroots support for it,” Collins said.

Dog Park Proposal 2

The second, smaller layout would be located closer to the back of the park and near a parking area.

He said the cost of the dog park would depend upon its size, but expenses could exceed $50,000 for such items as water fountains, park benches, and hundreds of feet of fencing.

The two proposals presented Thursday both include a large area for all dogs and a smaller area for small dogs.

One layout that would be closer to the Oak Ridge Turnpike would be larger, Collins said. Since it would have more fencing, it would cost more, Collins said.

But there are pros and cons to each site, he said. For example, the second location closer to the back of Big Turtle Park would be closer to parking spaces but would require the city to run a longer water line.

Collins said any recommendation developed by the Parks Board would still have to be considered by the Oak Ridge City Council.

Oak Ridge deer hunt canceled

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A deer hunt in Oak Ridge has been canceled as a result of the fallout from the July 28 security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton.

On Thursday, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said it was informed by the U.S. Department of Energy that the hunt scheduled for Oct. 20 and 21 on the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area was canceled while security on the Oak Ridge Reservation is reviewed, WYSH said.

TWRA said it will notify the affected hunters by mail and that it will refund any fees that have already been paid for the hunt. Similar Oak Ridge hunts set for November and December remain scheduled, WYSH said.

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Rebels beat Wildcats 38-23

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The Oak Ridge Wildcats lost their first football game of the season on Thursday, falling to the Maryville Rebels 38-23 at Blankenship Field.

The Wildcats are now 4-1, and the Rebels are 5-0.

The Wildcats, who are undefeated in the district, play Anderson County on Friday, Sept. 28, at Blankenship Field.

Council approves $128,000 for Centennial Golf Course renovations

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Despite the objections of one official and one resident, the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday agreed to spend $128,000 to renovate 29 bunkers, or sand traps, at Centennial Golf Course.

The Golf Course Fund will be used to pay for the repairs at the city-owned course. The work will be done by First Place Finish Inc. of Oak Ridge and Signet Golf Associates.

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Centennial golf bunkers could be renovated for $128,000

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Twenty-nine bunkers, or sand traps, could be renovated at Centennial Golf Course for $128,000 under a resolution to be considered by the Oak Ridge City Council tonight.

The Golf Course Fund would be used to pay for the repairs at the city-owned golf course. The work would be done by First Place Finish Inc. of Oak Ridge, with help from Signet Golf Associates.

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Wildcats defeat Panthers 21-3

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The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Powell Panthers 21-3 at Blankenship Field on Friday night.

The Wildcats football team is now 3-0, and the Panthers are 3-1.

Oak Ridge plays at Halls at 7:30 p.m. next Friday, Sept. 14.

Robertsville Middle cross country results from Panther Creek meet

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Here are the Robertsville Middle School results from the Panther Creek Invitational Cross Country meet on Tuesday in Morristown.

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