Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Department

 

 

DATE:           August 2, 2012

 

TO:              Dave Corliss, City Manager,

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

                             Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

                   Ernie Shaw, Interim Director Parks & Recreation

 

FROM:          Mark Hecker, Assistant Director Parks & Recreation

 

RE:               New Recreation Center – Possible Programming

 

As requested, the Parks & Recreation staff offers the following list of potential programming options for the new recreation center. This list is by no means all-inclusive, but meant to show the wide range of activities and age demographics that may use this facility with the proper programming. We feel it can be much more than just a basketball and volleyball tournament facility.

 

With the new facility, we would have the ability to offer programs we haven’t offered before to our community.  For instance, youth volleyball leagues, which we meagerly began with a recreational 4th grade league last year because of limited facility space, could be expanded to encompass entire league offerings in both recreational and competitive varieties. Competitive leagues in basketball would also be extended to girls and aid in their skill development.  When we relocated our gymnastics instruction program from Robinson Gymnasium on the University of Kansas campus to East Lawrence Recreation Center, we not only down-sized space but also our offerings. Having a dedicated area in a workable gymnastics area will allow us to offer additional offerings, like expansion of tumbling classes for toddlers and small children to the levels we previously had a several years ago.  The new facility would also allow us opportunities to partner and collaborate with other agencies and businesses in the community in offering after-school activities for youth of all ages.  Programs would also be developed for stay-at-home parents that could be offered as child/parent classes, as well as separate classes, so a parent could participate in an activity at the same time as their child. A host of offerings would be developed for the senior population of Lawrence, promoting healthy, active lifestyles.  The 1/8 mile walking track will be a popular component to fitness being the only year round track in the community along with a modest cardio/weight facility for classes and individual workouts.  

 

With a new facility, it would lessen the strain of programming on the three community recreation centers in Lawrence and allow facilities to have more neighborhood open gym time, as well as open them up to other local  programming that hasn’t been developed due to space and schedule needs.

 

Here is a breakdown of potential activities and programs that could be develop, expanded or implemented: 

 

 Weekday - Daytime Programming (5:30am to 3:00pm Monday – Friday)

·         Senior Programming

o   Walking Club

o   Fitness Classes: Aerobics, Walking, Cycling/Spinning, Pilates, Strength Training, Tai Chi, Yoga,

o   Sports: Pickle Ball, Badminton, Tennis, Basketball, Archery, Golf etc..

o   Pool / ping pong, bocce ball

o   Coffee / social hours every morning

o   Cards Clubs (pitch, bridge, poker……)

·         Fitness Classes: Aerobics, Toning, Circuit Training, Cycling/Spinning, Yoga, Pilates, Strength Training, Zumba, Martial Arts

·         Day-time adult sports leagues for shift workers

·         Daycare for children while parents take classes

·         Mommy and Me Classes and Field Trips

·         Gymnastics/Tumbling

·         Open Track for walking/running

·         Open Gym: Basketball and Volleyball

·         Camps, Clinics, Summer Playground

·         Rentals: Gyms, Mtg. Rooms, Multipurpose Area, Batting Cages

After School Programs      (3:00pm to 6:00pm Monday – Friday)

·         Youth fitness classes

·         Teen activities

·         Open Track for walking/running

·         Open Gym: Basketball and Volleyball

·         Partnering opportunities with the Boys and Girls Club, USD 497 and other youth organizations.

·         Tutoring

Evening Programs  (6:00pm – 10:00pm Sunday – Thursday)

·         Youth Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, games and practices

·         Adult Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer

·         Alternative Sports: Ultimate Frisbee, Kickball, etc..

·         Gymnastics

·         Dance/Cheer

·         Martial arts classes

·         Golf Instruction

·         Birthday Parties

·         Teen gatherings/parties/dances

·         Blastball

·         Fitness Classes

·         Rentals: Gyms, Mtg. Rooms, Multipurpose Turf Areas, Batting Cages

Weekend Programs (Friday evening – Sunday late afternoon)

·         Tournament: Volleyball, Basketball, Footzall (30 – 40 events per year)

·         Sports Camps/Clinics (5-7 per year)

·         Craft Shows / Trade Shows (3 -4 per year)

·         Open Track for walking/running

·         Open Gym: Basketball and Volleyball

·         Fitness Classes: Aerobics, Toning, Circuit Training, Cycling/Spinning, Yoga, Pilates, Strength Training, Zumba, Martial Arts

·         Teen Socials / Dances

·         Gymnastics/Tumbling

·         Rentals: Gyms, Mtg. Rooms, Multipurpose Turf Areas, Batting Cages

 

 

The potential for this size of a facility is endless!