VIDALIA &045; New members of the Concordia Parish Recreation District No. 1 board met for the first time Thursday night &045; and shared their ideas for the future.

The members were appointed earlier this week after the police jury ended the terms of the previous board members, whose attendance at meetings was significantly low.

&uot;A long job is ahead of you,&uot; said police jury President Melvin Ferrington, who helped guide the new rec board members through their first meeting.

Among the items on the group’s agenda Thursday was the swimming pool in Ferriday. The board agreed to consult with recreation staff about what maintenance needs to be done on the pool before it can open.

The rec board receives about $68,000 in revenue annually, the proceeds of a tax set aside for recreation.

Board member Johnnie &uot;Rip&uot; Woodruff said he thinks there may be some rust problems with the pool.

Ferrington suggestion the board have the recreation staff evaluate the situation and come up with a cost estimate for repairs.

Board members also had a chance to discuss their goals for recreation.

Derrick White said he would like to see the board receive some grants to supplement its revenue, which would help the board improve equipment and facilities in each community.

Woodruff agreed.

&uot;We need to work in the spirit of cooperation,&uot; Woodruff said. &uot;It’s all about the kids, it’s not about us.&uot;

Woodruff also said he would like to see the board develop year-round recreation programs, not just summer activities.

Raymond Campbell said the group should be out to serve the children in the community. &uot;We need to do what’s best for the kids,&uot; he said.

Linda Woods asked if the board could help bring some recreation opportunities to the Wildsville area. The board agreed that she should bring some recommendations to their next meeting.

Josephine Taylor said she hopes to see more recreation programs so that her grandchildren have something to do.

&uot;The more we do here, the more they’ll have to do,&uot; she said.

New board chairman Robert Lee III said the board should look at what other communities have done to be successful with recreation.

&uot;We’re going to let everyone know this is all for the children.&uot;

The board agreed to meet weekly for the next month. Their meetings will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Doty Road Center.